entreating all our prayers for her safe passage, in that most solemn change which she well knew was now close at hand. The aged sub-prior,my companion,did hereupon request and direct me to take the confession of the lady prioress, adding that he would remain to see the gifts safely bestowed in the convent-sacristy; and I therefore followed the weeping nun with much solemnity and sorrow. And now did I feel all mine own spiritual weakness and unworthiness, and lamented, with unfeigned humility, that my learning and piety were no greater, and that my former life had not better fitted me for the duty which I was now about to perform; of aiding, by my ghostly counsel, one renowned for her holiness, in the very moment when she was called unto her everlasting home. On passing into her presence, I beheld her resting back upon a little couch, for so great were the pains of her disease, that for many days she had been unable to lie down thereon: yet distressed with pain, as in truth she was, she uttered no voice of complaint, so that there was a death-like stillness in the chamber, and I drew in my breath from reverence. The light of that fair day, too, was also shaded therein with a fitting gloom, so that I might not at first see the pale cheek and heavenly look of the dying sufferer; but on advancing unto her more closely,-Saints and Angels!--I saw that she was the LADY BRIDE PLANTAGENET! VOL. II.-O CHAPTER X. A SCENE OF PARTING IN THE CHAMBER OF Yet do I live? Oh! how shall I sustain She, in whose life my hopes were treasured all Is gone!-for ever fled! These eyes, these tear-swoln eyes, beheld her fall! Ah, no!—she lives on some far-happier shore, She lives, but, cruel thought, she lives for me no more! * * * * * How shall I ere forget that dreadful hour, My hand she press'd wet with her falling tears, OH Memory!-Memory!-I ween that I have full little cause to summon thine aid, to depict the scene which was now about to open unto me; for so deeply, yea, so indelibly, are all the events of that most sad hour impressed upon my soul, that they can never be absent from me whilst breath and sense be left unto my mortal frame! -And if aught of earthly affection or sorrow can call forth the tear of human compassion; or if there be indeed a chord in the breasts of others which, like-tuned unto that within mine own, will respond unto the like touch,-then may my feel ings at this time be somewhat conceived of; and it will in sooth be deemed that I underwent no common trial. And if, perchance, in the deep sorrow thereof, my reason or devotion bent in the unequal struggle, I well trust that He, who is all strength, and who knoweth the weakness of his creatures, did both pity and forgive it. In mine earlier years I had sometimes beheld young and noble beauty, with all that wondrous rapture which the poets have affirmed it doth ever inspire; and the countless charms of dazzling eyes, shining hair, the white ivory gates within the lips, and cheek of fairest rose-colour, I have ofttimes thought that I looked upon all the richest creations of nature, blended in a most rare masterpiece. And, although it was not my fortune to be mated with one of these most lovely beings, I have noted, not with envy, but with a fervent, yet secret, desire for the like happiness,that woman is, unto our race, the sweetest partner in joy, and the kindest soother in sorrow. For her smiles do ever throw their fair and beaming light, over that which had else been most mournful, desolate, or void of life; and, when the storm of sorrow hath passed away, she appeared unto me like the bow in the brightening sky, the living security of God's everlasting covenant of goodness unto man. Yet do I well deem, that not all the blaze of beauty in its gayest and most blooming hour, did ever seem unto my view so rich and glorious, as did the calm, though fading, features of the dying Lady Bride, before whom I now stood. Albeit her cheek was full pale from sickness, yet all that pure dignity which so marked her youth still remained; with which were sweetly pictured suffering fortitude, resignation unto the will of God, and Christian benevolence unto all on earth. This unconquerable yet gentle spirit seemed unto me to cast the semblance of an unearthly triumph over the scene of mortality; and so much did she then appear above the common weakness of our nature, that methought she might well have said for herself,-if indeed ever child of earth might utter the holy apostles' exulting speech,— "Oh Death! where is thy sting?-Oh Grave! where is thy victory ?" When I approached the prioress, as I have afore recounted, with much amaze and a tremulous voice I gave unto her my bendiction; but as one of the nuns was then engaged in ministering a medicine unto her, the pause gave unto me time to regain somewhat of my tranquillity. To one who had been so long schooled by danger ever to wear a cautious guise unto the world, and had been taught by holier wisdom the frailty of all earthly affections, I ween that it asked but brief time and little effort to assume the semblance of calmness, albeit full great was the tumult of mine agitated spirit within. For, I bethought me that, perchance, she might have no memory of me now; so that I should lose the sweet communion with her which I had already begun to hope for: and. although I might disclose myself in the secrecy of confession, I did much doubt whether it would not in truth be profaning her purified spirit in its flight towards heaven, to break upon its holy |