great deal from her and being comforted by | young lambs bleated; they seemed not to rec

her example. She has lost her husband, and all her children except one son, who left her long ago, and of whom she does not even know whether he is still alive. Moreover, she has been blind for fifteen years past; and yet she is serene and full of confidence in God. This blind old woman sees better than I do with my eyes open. While I was thus reading and meditating, there came to me our good chaplain, who had accompanied my lord to the gate. He brought me greetings from my husband, and we spoke of toleration toward those who differ from us. The worthy clergyman shared my opinion, and I was glad to hear him utter such mild views. On this occasion I thought of the man who is still dear to my heart, despite my duties as a wife and mother. My little son was slumbering calmly, and I thanked God for the precious pledge He has intrusted to me. All my grief vanishes whenever I contemplate the smiling face of my child; every impure thought is silent in the presence of this sweet innocence. I feel purified and elevated by its aspect.

ognize their mothers in their altered garb. I returned through the park. Never did I see the chestnuts and beeches so beautiful in their autumnal foliage. A sunbeam gilded the red and yellow leaves, some of which rustled pleasantly at my feet. I thought of my death, but the idea did not frighten me; I only wished to pass away as gently and smilingly as parting nature.

"I settled all accounts with the tenants in my lord's absence. I am almost afraid that I devote too much attention to worldly affairs, and neglect the examination and improvement of my heart. Others may believe that I am doing my whole duty; for who penetrates the secret faults of the heart; who knows the reluctance, imperfection, and coldness with which I serve my Creator, the egotism and reprehensible motives prompting my benevolent actions? Since I am a mother, I must watch myself with redoubled attention. When, tired by settling all those accounts, and filled with apprehensions, I laid my babe on my breast, my gloomy, anxious face seemed to frighten the little one. The boy, notwithstanding his age, already pays close attention to the physiognomies of the persons surrounding him. The expression of my countenance must have startled him, for he cried violently. My smiles and caresses again quieted the little

"At dinner I felt lonely, as my lord was absent. It is not only the force of habit that attaches me to my husband, but the most fervent esteem and love for the best of men. He conquered my heart by his virtues, and stifled every previous affection in it. For the companion of my youth I feel now only sin-one, who laid his head on my breast and soon fell asleep. This incident is very trifling in itself, and yet it teaches me how necessary it is for us always to be careful of what we are doing. Now, if this duty is incumbent on us toward our children, and toward all men, how much more so toward Him who sees through our hearts and knows our most secret thoughts!"

cere friendship. It is my firm conviction that he has not forgotten me either. Last night I visited the dairy-farm, and found every thing in good order. Cicely is a faithful girl, and the cattle thrive under her care. I praised her, for praise from the mistress gladdens the hearts of faithful servants. Always be more sparing of your censure than your praise. The sheep are again covered with wool; they were shorn in May last. Poor animals! How they rebelled at first against the cold iron, and yet finally submitted patiently to their fate! The

On the following day Sir Robert Carbury returned with a small detachment of soldiers commanded by Thomas Egerton, whom, the king had sent to him. Alice went to meet

"I am afraid," replied Carbury, after some hesitation, "that we must part. You must not stay any longer at the castle. The enemy is drawing nearer and nearer to it, and he may be here to-morrow and begin the siege. You will set out this very day, attended by a faith-voted to her, to drive the cattle from the pasful servant, to Ludlow Castle, where you will be safe at the house of your parents."

“But I am not afraid. Put me to the test,❘ and you will see that I shall not tremble." "Think of our son. For his sake I beg, I army, commanded by Fairfax, had taken by implore you to leave the castle!"

"Come, we will receive the bearer of the flag of truce, and hear what he has to say." After descending from the tower, Sir Robert Carbury met at the drawbridge a Parliamentary officer, who demanded an interview with him. He called upon Carbury to surrender the castle and submit unconditionally to Par

"Your blood be upon your own head, then," said the Puritan officer, spurring his horse.

bury ascended the tower to watch with spyglasses the approach of the enemy. Toward three they descried, in the horizon, a cloud of dust approaching with considerable rapidity. Here and there flashed from it a glittering weapon, a musket, or the hilt of a sword. They also heard the noise and rhythmic tread of a detachment of soldiers. As yet the num-liament, when his life, as well as those of the bers of the force could not be ascertained, garrison, would be spared. Sir Robert debut, to judge from the size of the cloud of|clared that he was a loyal adherent of the dust, it could not be insignificant. Thus the king, and that he would defend himself to the danger was drawing nigh, veiled, like a som- last drop of blood. bre secret, concealing in its bosom destruction and death. It was not till some time afterward that they distinctly perceived the whole column moving like a serpent amid the hills and valleys, now disappearing among the trees, now emerging again into the plain. At the head of the troops rode the commander, surrounded by a few officers; behind him marched several hundred soldiers, the Saints of Israel, as they styled themselves. On beholding the castle, they intoned a pious hymn, and advanced as calmly as though they were about to go to church instead of making an assault on a fortified place.

"I suppose," said Thomas, "the rascals indulge the hope that they will carry the walls of this castle, like those of Jericho, by their | sanctimonious noise. Would it not be prudent for us to give them a more correct opinion of the situation by a well-aimed cannon-shot ? " "We shall have time enough for that hereafter," replied his brother-in-law. "We must save our powder; they are as yet too far from the castle to fear our cannon-shots. But, notwithstanding their singing, they are good men, and their whole bearing indicates that they are brave and well-tried soldiers."

"Hold on," interrupted Thomas, "the fellows seem to be more polite than I thought they were. By the Eternal! they are sending to us a flag of truce, probably in order to summon us to surrender."

The enemy immediately encamped, and displayed the same evening the utmost activity. On reconnoitring his position from the tower, Sir Robert acquired the conviction that he had to deal with an adversary alike brave and skilled in military operations.

"We shall have a hard fight," he said to Thomas. "The commander seems to be a man who understands his business."

"I know him, and am glad to have an opportunity to settle an old account with him. This man, Overton, is still in my debt."

The approach of Alice and the chaplain now gave another turn to the conversation. She invited the men to supper, of which they partook in a grave and solemn frame of mind. Afterward Sir Robert posted the sentinels, and urged them to be as vigilant as possible; he himself did not go to bed, but remained awake all night long, in order to be on hand for any emergency that might arise. Alice stayed with her babe. Before falling asleep, she clasped her hands, and prayed God to avert the imminent danger.

CHAPTER XXI,

MARRIAGE OF THOMAS AND LUCY-CAPTURE OF

THE CASTLE.

mentary soldiers had fallen, and considerable gaps were to be seen in their ranks. The latter closed up again, and the assaulting column advanced with the utmost firmness and intrepidity. The brave commander encouraged his men incessantly, and by his words and example immediately restored order in the ranks of his soldiers. The besiegers were soon so close to the castle as to be entirely out of the range of Sir Robert's artillery; they suffered at the most only by the musketry of the gar

THE autumnal sun rose in golden radiance. The mists which were floating like airy veils round the hills and meadows vanished, and the landscape exhibited an aspect of wondrous beauty. Nothing indicated that savage war was raging in these rural scenes. Every thing was yet hushed; only the flocks of the depart-rison, which, however, injured them but very ing migratory birds sounded their farewell notes. Alice had stepped to the window and gazed upon the scenery. At last she beheld the camp, with its gray tents, which, like a dark thunder-cloud, had descended on these peaceful fields. It was no dream, it was the stern reality of war that was staring her in the face. The silver sickle of the moon was yet in the heavens, and the morning - star twinkled comfortingly to her. Profound silence seemed to reign in the camp; but loud flourishes resounded suddenly, and in a few moments the whole scene was changed. Soldiers rushed from the tents and formed in line; scaling-ladders and fascines for enabling the troops to climb the walls and fill the ditches were brought up. The column moved, and advanced at the quick-step to within cannon-range of the castle, shouting wildly, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" There was a fearful pause of several minutes, during which Alice heard nothing but the throbbing of her own heart. Meanwhile, Sir Robert Carbury was at the head of the besieged. He had likewise closely watched the operations of the enemy, and awaited his approach on the rampart. He now ordered his men, in a loud voice, to point the cannon and fire at the assailants. The next moment the booming of artillery shook the air, and Alice, from her position, was able to observe the destructive effects of the balls. Several of the Parlia

slightly. By means of the fascines which they had brought along, they tried to approach the ditch and the ramparts, and to gain the drawbridge, by which they hoped to penetrate into the castle. Already the boldest had climbed up, and were preparing to cut with their axes the chains fastening the bridge, when it was suddenly lowered, and Thomas, at the head of fifty volunteers, rushed out and drove back the surprised enemies. The foremost were either killed or compelled to jump into the ditch, in whose muddy waters they perished, unless a bullet put a speedier end to their sufferings. A terrible mêlée took place in the middle of the bridge; the enemies fought hand to hand, and tried to push each other into the ditch. Overton brought up reënforcements, but they were likewise unable to force an entrance into the castle. The Parliamentary troops had to yield to the impetuous bravery of the besieged, and were compelled to retreat. Murderous volleys of musketry from the ramparts of the castle pursued the fugitives, and it was not until they were close to their camp that Overton succeeded in rallying his dispersed soldiers.

The first assault had been successfully repulsed, and Alice thanked God for her husband's victory. She hastened immediately into the court-yard, where she met Sir Robert and Thomas, who had been slightly wounded in the hand-to-hand conflict. A handsome

"I will do all, all that you ask; only do not proofs of fervent love on Lucy's part were extell me to leave Thomas."