The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-19 00:00:00

LITERATURE. IMaidaa, thou bait been =aikido., way, wane—than
been ungrateful to one% whom graduate ie dee. '
"No, no," cried Rosamond, touched by a sesioreer to
754. Lady and Me Priest. Ely Mrs. MANEKLET. Colburn. which she was wholly unaccustomed, for the Atom optima
Mrs. Moberly, in this story, deals with historical addreweed her save with harsh reprimand.' "Not ungrateltd
characters of which her work may be said to be a —unthinkiug, yes; but, oh! not ungrateful. I would not
study. A monastery it, the wooded shades of the —I could not be ungrateful to any one; and," she added, as
unable to control her feelings, she burst into tear", "it is
Severn, a baronial castle in the west, and the court for that I have been punished."
of Henry and Eleanor, are by turns the scene of the . Daughter," said the prior, in • somewhat troubled
action, while the lady and the priest, its heroes, are tone, " what meanest thou ? I understand thee not."
none other than Fair Hammond and the crafty " will tell all, my father," answered Hammond, trying
Beckett, or, as we must soon hegira to call him, st. to stile her sorrow. Half woman, half ehild, she felt with
the tenderness of the one, and the poignancy' of the other.
Thomas, of Canterbury. The fair author has not Her young heart, so long deprived of sympathy, wail over-
sought to overtake the reading public with startling charged with griefelFor a few moments she could not speak,
surprise, or torture curiosity by an intricate plot. ; her sobs alone broke the 'donee of the apartment; for the
On the contrary, relying on the native interest of the prior sat with head averted and secminaly abstracted air.
At length she mid' " Yes, I will tell all. It was fur sister
events and incidents of the narrative, site has chosen
Joan's sake I have been punished. Sister Joan had been
to let it unfold itself in a most inartiScial manner.' good and kind to me, oh! very, very kind, my father; and
Her description of scenery, and delineations of chortle- yet I was forbidden to speak to her."
ter enchain the attention and invest the talc with a I "Doabless with reason, my daughter," observed the
charm which is not dispelled until the wily director =
strangely to unman him. "And who Is sister
vely ; for the artless manner of Rosamond was
exhausts the last resource of his cunning, and his
f i Jam ?"
victim drains the cup of suffering to the dregs. "Father, she wee my nurse, my good nurse Jacqueline;
The opening chapter discloses the monastery of but when we came to the convent they marls her a lay-nun,
Severnstoke, half-concealed by the trees whichand called her sister Joan. She came with me from my
bested the rich valleys and by
of Gloucester- home—my dear, dear home!—my father's hour:," she ,
shire. A
added somewhat more proudly • and then relapsing into
glance into the interior of this Normal I softness, she said, "and I loved her with • daughters
ughters love.
school of priests lets us see She was all I had to love ; and because she took my part
How ARCHBMHOPS Als TRAINED. the lady abbess ever found her in the wrung, though the
It was on • line morning toward* the end of summer that fault was always mine. I have done one great sin, my
the l'rior of Sever atoke mounted hi. mule at the greats father!" she added, as if suddenly conscienetatricken.
door of the convent. Two masks accompanied, or rather I " What is that sin, my daughter?" asked the prior,
attended him ; for they rode at a eonsiderabk distance be. ; somewhat anxiously, and turning his eyes full upon his
hind, and not once during the ride did their superior sp- I young penitent.
pear even to remallect that he was not alone, so absorbed I " Father," said Rosamond, gently kneeling at his feet,
was he by his own thoughts. As he rode along, Father sad folding her hands upon her breast, " I will tell, all.
Thomas glanced c, c placently upor the rich beauties of the I Thou knowest that, by my father's °niers, I may walk each
seene,—the meadow., the corn fields, and the paitares day tilinoon within the convent wall". At the cad of the
through which the river wound its joyous course. s eyes I garden sear the wood, • boat was one day moored, when
glistened with delight as he thought of the day when, not keen sad I came by the river was so beautiful and bright
ma a hard-working and responsible. prior, bet as • luxurious that I longed to cross it, and to feel once more free. I
abbot, be might tall himself lord of such • dormant. I prayed of Joan to go • but she refused, and forced me to re-
leather 'Thomas we. in a particularly happy state of tarn. She told the Ashes' all, and I was punished. Oh my
mind he had just received • letter from the abbot, plead- I father, three days and nights I knelt upon the cold atones
lag diness as an excite: for still absenting himself from Se- , of the chapel fioor,with bread and water only fur my food. I
vernstolte, and as the, was not the first time the same plea could not bear it; and the third day, when vespers rang, and
heel heen urged, it occurred to the prior that the authority all the sisters came, [called on Juan to help me. The abbess
he' an constantly wielded in the name of another, might one heard me cry, and from that hour I have been forbidden to
day become hi. own. To attain this point, however, good speak to her. I was wrong, holy father," she continued,
deeds were necessary ; the church was ever most generous with great agitation, " I know it was very wrung—l ought
to those who laid wine offering at her feet, and it was to to have submitted. Punish me if you will, but give me
advance this holy cause that the prior now 'Weed forth back my friend ; let me hut lay my head upon her breast,
upon his mule, and hurried the pinting animal over and I will bear all."
pathway and 11,1,1, till he reached the bottom of the hill, ' In the earnestness of her appeal, Rosamond raised her-
who h compelled Lin' to Aitken Ins pace. Then Father self upon her knees, and clasping her hands, held them im•
Thomas looked round, and almost ensiled as he saw the ploringly towards the prior, until they almost rested upon
efforts of his ollowtrs to err.. the little brook which he had • his knee. With • hasty gesture, he drew back; and then,
there'd at a bound • for • good horseman and keen lover of as if to evade an immediate answer to this appeal, he said,
the chase was the Prior of Severndoke. His light and in • voice he vainly tried to render harsh,
active figure fitted him well for exercise and toil, and he sat I "My daughter, it grieves me to we thee thus cling to
his uncouth steed uith • grace nut the lee remarkable that , worldly thoughts and wordly affections. Put away such;
kis great height made it • matter of some difficulty. His ' they are sinful."
spit odid and wall-proportioned figure was not to he eon- I "My father," said Itosarnonel, meekly, " I would fain do
cealal by the long ml,' of brown cloth girded round his as you desire; but," and she hesitated, "is it sinful to love
waist, while the hood, nhich constently fell back, gave to' those who love us ?"
view a countenance nut only regularly handsome, but seri- The prior moved uneasily in his chair. Never before had
king and picturesque. His forehead was singularly high he met with a being who attracted him op powerfully.
and broad, with misses of rich black hair curling closely Her demeanour was stamped by intelligence far beyond her
around it,—the crown of the head alone being shaven. Ilts years ; her voice, of silvery sweetness, was distinct and
eyes were very Ming, large, and dirk, but always seemed clear; and the decision of Mae which marked it gave way
half-closed, pedal), trom the eunstant habit of looking down- to a tenderness that thrilled through the heart. Father
mania. It was only in speaking that the velvet softness of Thomas felt that he would rather have replied to • whole
their eastern hue could be perceived; but, when excited, college of churchmen than answer the simple question of
they flashed with a brilliancy not to he surpassed. His this straightforward child. Nature had been her guide;
mew was high and straight, and his mouth and chin well honesty was upon her brow, affection in her heart ; —what
cut and defined, and expressive of great firmness. The had sophistry to do with these ? A feeling of compunction
foreign appearance of Father Thomas might in some degree I arose in his heart ; but, schooled in the art of self-control,
Be accounted for by the fa tof his mother having been born he instantly repressed it, and replied,
lathe East; but he Wismar wee a native of England; and, "If love for our neighbour is not in itself sinful, it be-
except a sheet residence at Bologna, where he hail been comes so if it interfere with g duties. Maiden, it is
sent for his monastic training by hi. patron, the Archbishop thy province to submit, not to question."
Theobahl, he bud never quitted his own country. I'ardon me, my father,-1 know it is; and I could sub-
Much care was already written mein that brew, although I mit to one I loved hut I have no one here to love. Oh,
the prior was still a young man ; het ambition is a wearing my father," she continued, as she clasped her hands pas-
paasion, and no gown of serge, or shirt of hair, ever covered' .innately, " I sin very desolate ; —my only comfort is gone.
a breast noire madly heavieg with ambitious hope and dc- Oh ! if you knew my life, shut up as it is within my cell.
sire than did that which now enveloped the tall and supple To steal acmes the court end talk to Joan was my sole joy ;
form of the Prior of Seserneteke. None could be-hold in and now that is denied, I shall hear nu more of knights and
him the mere ordinary mortal, nor could his holy garb ladies, and their hawks and hounds. How my heart re•
thoroughly endue him with the meek and lowly air so he- I joiceel when we used so to talk !—I thought myself at home,
fitted to his calling. There was in him more of the soldier upon my own dear hills, and saw my father lead out his
than of the priest, more of the statesman than the book- men-at-arms, as he was wont to do. Methinks !" and with
worm, and, perhaps, yet more than either, of the gay and an animated gesture she rose from her knees, " that war
chivalrous character of the Norman knight,l though tem- must be a fine sight; so grand!—so kina-like ! My father,
penal doom to strict outward decoruna—for very careful have you ever seen a battle? Oh, tell me,—tell me ali !
was the holy tither of his earthly reputation. Through it, But,' she added, checking herself, as she suddenly ob-
he bed attuned Ids preeent caution, but he had atilt much served the perturbed countenance of her hearer, "1 forgot;
to gain ; and he bail long since resolved that by his own I you, too, live in • convent : and here one sees nothing, hears
fault no chance should ever be thrown away. fo rise to nothing. One might as well be deail,"—and with a shiver,
the highest honours is the natural wish of every aspiring the beauteous Rosamond cast her eyes upon the bare walls
nature, the dream of every ambitious mind; but with him of the room, unadorned save with a crucifix on one side,
it was more Outs a theirs., inure than a dream,—it was a and • death's-heed upon the other; and then her look fell
determination. He felt th it the destiny of man lies mainly upon the prior, and her kind heart smute her, fur he was
in the will of man; and to work out the dictates of that re- evidently pained. He sat with his head bent down, and his
solute will he demoted every energy of trails soul. Hie strong dark eyebrows were contracted until they almost met.
and comprehensive mind never wavered; he anticipated " Father," she added, after a long pause. " forgive me, I
the Sturm+ he was resolved to obtain; and the confidence have dune wrong; profane, unholy words are not for thee,
this sentiment inspired was a first step towards kis end. —they sully the purity of thy thoughts. The lady shies,
A. yet, from the position of affairs, no great opportunity says that 1 caner:nisi:etc her mind. I meant not to offend;
had presented lath to Father 'Thomas of advancing his but I pine for my father's house. My heart is at Clifford
views. The routine of monastic life offered little variety Castle, while my body is here. Oh my father! thou who
of incident, and attracted but little intercourse with the knowest many things, tell mo in thy wisdom will this
outer world. The of such a life could not but be prison never end ?—are there no tidings front abroad ?"
irksome to a nature like his; hut the necessity of • moat " The Holy Land is far hence," said the prior, era-
scrupulous observance of duty was too imperative to be un- 'lively, "and the rumours of war are many."
he cited ; and so, for many mouths, soil many years, had " There is danger, I know," rejoined Hammond, with a
this ardent and aspiring nature been drilled down to a mere • *huddler ' but she immediately added, as she raised her
observance of ceremonies, a ehriver of penitent', and a din- stately head, " and the Lord De Clifford is ever foremost
!senor of discipline in a severe and (secluded monastery, where honour cals."
while his heart panted for the senate and the beetle-field, "The courage of my Lord De Clifford is well known, and
the palace and the tourney ; sad ti hugs of the Crusaders he fights in a holy cause !" returned the prior, as if glad to
were e'er eagerly welcomed; fur his secret dream was of say words of comfort to the anxious child.
l'aleetiue- -to him it was the promised land. "True, my father, and I thank thee for his praise," re-
Such thoughts were, huwes yr, carefully locked within hie plied Itoramond, with emotion ; •• still I know that he may
betas' ; he was but the poor Prior of Seare.rnstuke—the never return, though I watch and pray. Oh, with my very
hard•Wurking had of the can divate abbot—and, moreover, soul I beseech that I may kneel once more at his feet ;
the artificer of his onn future diguity ; therefore, fur him, once more ace him, mounted on his horse, leading his
work, and penance, and pelt ation,—and, above all, vigi- knight. through the arched doorway of the castle ; then,
lance. A peened vigilance often outruns the most trans- methinks, I could die content ; oh what joy even to die
emidant taleut—aniall mean* may bring about great ends; within one's own home!"
they are like humble friends, sometimes much the most The prior started as Hammond spoke; her voice was so
us, sup. touching, her attitude so grace ful, that the impression he felt
Sts thought the prior; and, therefore, nothing was toe gaining ground over him was becoming irresistible. His
minute to recipe hi. observation. Ilis watchfulness was own thoughts—thoughts he scarcely dared ackoowledge to
unbounded ; his penetration unarm.... So thoroughly diet himself—lad been echoed to his ear by the lip* of the still
he study the nature and character of everyone within his half child. Was nature, then, still so powerful within?
itch, that he almost seellltsl ti read their thoughts. Ile stifled the idea so it arose; and, taking two or three
Through this knowledge, his power naturally inen..seed; turns up and down the room, he endeavoured to calm the
and a. his eleei.iont were` us prompt as the punishment agitation he feared to betray. lbw:enema looked on, fearing
hick ealoweel, those' under his role hail learned to regard to have offended him. She felt as if she might have lost
hint with fear and as e,---tor, to their common minds, some- a friend; for already her heart had was med towards him.
thing supernatural prompted the intelligence he possessed. He was the only paean liesieles Joan tee whom clue had
This distinction gratified him : it was a beginning. From dered to reveal her thoughts, and confidence is the first link
a eery poor 11,n, diet in,. friar lio had risen, without the ad- of the chain which binds us mothers. But she had given
vantages of rank or fortune, to he prior of a monastery of it unasked; and perhaps he was angry. The thought
great importance. Ile hal s tr..1,.:1 it by the force of his brought tears to her eyes, as she stood meekly with eraseeel
wdl, by his industry, patience, and submission. It was hands, as if awaiting her judgment. In a little while the
sweet to reap the fruits of so much toil, even though those prior sp eke, but it was not in an accent of reproof•
fruit. consisted in hi.iag overwhelmed with work by the "Daughter," he said calmly, "thy thoughts are t
conetant abss.nee of the lacy abbot, or acting as arbiter in much of this world. Remember, He that giveth also taketh
all the small dirt row., and didi lefties frequently recur- away; therefore count not with so much certainty upon thy
ring in the various religious houses dependent upon the father's safe return, but pray that it may he so. We will
abbey. slender nutriment fur his self-love, but still it aid thee in thy pr-yen. As to the lady abbess, she is thy
wale worth iterepting. mother in God ; offend her not in speech, but submit as a
The young priest was on his way to a convent child should do. I will implore: her to forgive the past."
dependent on his abbey, called thither by the Lady "And Joan, sister Joan!" exclaimed Ito.amond,
if her l anmously—for she felt aslast chance was pawing
Isolda, one of those pervons eternally asking advice
away ; may she not be with me again ?"
and re% ,ring the prior so much that, if • sister but "It belongeth not to Inc to reverse a penance or coin-
robbed the hen-roost to regale herself with fresh eland," replied the prior, with his habitual reserve; I can
eggs on a fast-day, he woes sure to be sent but plead for thee with the' Lady Isolda."
for. Something mom serious now claims his "I thank thee, my father—t humbly thank thee," re-
sponded RUSILIIIOIII in•subdued voice.
presence. 'The lady 'W.621110;0 de Clifford, a ward
" And now, my daughter," said the prior, "retire to thy
of the church. where father is with the crusaders, is cell; and I pray thee let the lady abbess know that I wait
so world-tainted, stiff-necked, and sinful, that she is her leisure here, in order to take my leave."
always looking out for some one to talk to her of the "Thy blessing, father, and pardon, ere I go!" murmured
horses and hawks in which silo was formerly aeon- Ilese.riniznudii.huimubly sinking no c
my daughteru," renphlierd theee rior, solemnly,
s.
tamed La take delight, instead of addicting herself la • his bend union her head—" I bless thee, and forgive,"
to penance and prayer. Let us hear what the good Rosamond thee from her knees; and, having reached the
prior has to say to door of the room, she turned, made a deep curtsey with
THE WirKen NUN. her hands folded on her breast, and disapocared.
•
-

In ores,/ moments the lady Rosamond appeared. She
paused at the door; and the prior, accustomed as he was to
ironical all crouton, could seareely retrain from an recta-
'Batson of surprise. It was two years since he had seen Ro-
samond, who to then in her lirteenth year. So exqui-
sitely beautiful was the apparition before him that he was
as if spell-bound ; he could nut withdraw his ore, and that
special rule ot his order which forbids the servant of the
church "to gaze upon the fate of woman " was fur the
nainnent forgotten. At she stood upon the threshold,
Rosamond presented o vision of perfect loveliness. She
was habited as a novice of the order; and the long white
drew did not destroy the beauty of her form. Iler hair
was concealed by a linen band, hut her fare, arms, and
feet wen• hare, with •he careptiou of small sandals of un- '
tanned froth( r. She held in h. r hand a small ebony crud,
which she phrased tightly to her breast—in truth, to
still the beating. of her heart; for she dreaded the inter-1
view with the ataxy's. and still more with the prior, whom
she had been taught to belies.. the dispenser of sescrer
penante than even that to which she hall been subjected.
When she saw that she was alone with the object of her
fear, her ewe breame troubled, her eyes were taint upon
the ground, sad a deep blush spread over cheek and brow.
TM pole cheek of the friar coloured also for a moment.
" Fear not, my daughter," raid be, with • grave voice.
" If thou reprotest, thy trouser...dons will be forgiven thee.
What is this that thou haat done 0'
Father," answered
.Itosarnond, without daring to look
up, "our revered mother, the Lady Isolda, is angry with
"Thou has given her cause of displeasure; thou heat
disobeyed hi r injunction*, rebelled against her orders, and
intentionally irri..r.d her," rejoined the prior more severely ;
while something in the tone half-belied the words, for
Ilorramoad slightly raised her head as she replied :
"Not so, my father ; io south, not so."
"'the lady abhew complaint," continued the prior,
"that her rules are broken, her authority set at naught. j
She halt bora to thee as a friend, yea, eves as a mother.

This interview wakens up the soul of the young
Beckett. It is not love that agitates his breast- No,
but for once he has come into contact with truth.
Roaamoud's voice had expressed a fact which he had
been years carefully concealing from himself. His
was a clear understanding, and he now saw as in a
mirror the image of his own wretchedness. He felt,
as Rosamond, unhappy; but soon in the monastery
where ho ruled he encountered another image, still
more potent, to move his heart. His own authority,
which he saw reflected from the face of every brother,
reconciled him to his inward suffering, and hardened
his heart for that of others.
Before long Beckett's reputation has reached the
King, who is visiting the west d propos of the
troubles in %Vales. Rosamond is by this time with
her returned father at his castle, and is seen
here by the King. Beckett has a game to
play ; he must increase his influence over
Henry as well as manage Eleanor. Rosamond thus
becomes essential to his plans, and accordingly he
spoils one or two projects for her marriage, and
plants her by the side of the Queen as a maid of
honour. Temptations multiply around the ildirlefli
girl, whose father and lover, thanks to Beckett, have
both been started for the Holy Land. Let us see
what more the prior has to say to Rosamond in the
way of
GHOSTLY ecluscrt.
" What wouldn't thou. my daughter ?" said Becket. &b.,
niptly, as he threw himself into a seat, haying first carefully
closed the door; "and wherefore but thou summoned me
at this unusual hour ?"
"Father, reverend father, 1 muse your pardon," an-