Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-09-10


had kept till now concealed in her bo-
som.
The moment Cromwell's eyes rested
upon it, he started from his seat, and
advanced towards Marian. 'Where got
We thisP he said; while his strong frame
trembled with emotion; and he snatch
ed the trinket from her hands, and as
he gazed on the sweet face painted
thereon, he turned aside, and Marian
saw the big drops Of sorrow fall on his
weather-beaten cheek.
know yo whose watch this once
WASP he said, as he turned to Marian.
1T was my mothers who has been
dead many years. she replied; 'and my
father is Matthew Godfrey, citizen Of
London.
Cromwell started. He approached
Marian, who was still on her knees, and, +,
pushing aside her brown hair, which
had fallen over her white forehead, he
paused minute, then added-'Thine
is face fair to look upon, and ye have
your mothers noble brow, but not her
raven hair and eye. In days long past,
when | was student at the Inns OF
Court, | loved your mother fondly and
truly; but her parents suffered her not
to listen to my words. Perchance they
acted wisely, for mine has been stor-
my coursc;' and he sighed. 'The Lords
will be donep
Marian saw that Cromwel's spirit
was soitened; and she resumed her
peadngs for her husband; and she call
ed on him, in remembrance of her moth
CT, to be merciful.
'Thou hast touched u tender string
he said; 'and for thy mothers sake, if |
have any influence, thy husband shall
depart harmless.
Marian sprang on her feet, and be-
gan pouring out her thanks. may!
said the General, 'if the life and liberty
of Herbert Lisle be granted, it will be
on the sole condition that he leave En-
gland Immediately, and make no furth-
or attempt to subvert the present gov
ernment Of these Kingdoms. ,
'May God reward you for this! said
Marian; and she folded her cloak around
her, and prepared TO depart.
'Rest in peace said Cromwell; 'and
when thine husband is set at liberty, ye
shall hear from him. Take this with
lhee;' aud he held out to her her moth
er's watch. 1T has stirred. sad thoughts
within me, and the memory Of thy mo-
ther, as | last saw her, comes over me
as a pleasant dream. He looked on
the picture, and sighed as he put it into
her hands. 'Farewell!' he said; 'all
| can do for thee will, and Gods bless
sing be ever with thee!' lie pressed
her hand kindly. Marians heart was
full, and she could but weep her thanks,
as the General touched small silver
bell, when the door was opened, and she
passed forth from the presence Of Cen
eral Cromwell with renewed hopes and
thankful spirit.
Not many days after this interview,
Marian's nurse came to her, and infor-
med her that Herbert Lisle, her beloved
husband, was at liberty; that he had
been with her, and desired her to tell
Marian he was impatient to behold her
once more, and to bid her farewell, as
he had given his promise to the State TO
depart forthwith, and his steps were
therefore watched by their emissaries.
She added, that he would expect Mari
an at her cottage, at the close Of the
same evening.
1t were needless to speak Of Marian's
gratitude, when she heard that Herbert
was really at liberty-of the many afiec-
tomato messages to him with which she
charged her nurse-of the trembling
Impotence with which she awaited the
appointed hour to behold him.
Evening came, at length, and the
darkenng clouds, and the moaning OF
the wind, seemed to portend storm;
but Marian needed not these gloomy
appearances. She had kept aloof in
her chamber from the family all that day,
under the plea of indisposition; and it
was quite dusk, and all was still in the
house, ere she ventured forth. With
noiseless steps she passed down the
garden at the back Of the house, and
unfastcned the door at the extremity Of
it, which led into the fields, and hasten
ed onwards, as she believed, unhcard
and unobserved. Once or twice, as
Marian proceeded through the lane
which led to the cottage of her nurse,
she thought she heard footstep behind
her. She stopped, and listened intense
ly, but all was perfectly still, end she felt
certain that she had been deceived-that
the sound had been merely the rustling
ofthe wind through the hedge.
In few minutes she gained the cot
tage, and hastily unfastening the latch,
she entered. There was a light in the
room hnt Marian saw no one but her