The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-12-13

rejoined Lsdy Lucy.
Well, my love, IT were a pity but what
you then should have AN opportunity said
Lady Clarendon 'but much fear Thy ltIle
heart will fail thee, aud when thou seest
the Queen face Ia face, thou wilt not be
able to utter syllable
/ God will direct the words of my lips,'
said the lille girl, with tears in her eyes.
The Countess was impressed with the
piery and tilial tender ness of her god-daugh-
ter; and she FASTENED To rise aud dress,
that she nigh, conduct the child into the
palace gallery, where the Queen usually
passed nm hour in walking, after her return
! from chapel, whnh she attended every
morning. Her majesty had not left the
chapel when Lady Clarendon and Lady
Lucy entered the gallery aud her ladyship
endeavored To dIrect the anxious lmpatience
of her litIle friend, by pointing out 10 her
the portraits whh which il was adorned.
Il know that gentleman well,' sand the
child, pointing To n noble wholr-length por-
trait of James the Second. That is the
portrait of the deposed King James, Queen
Mary's father observed the Countess, gh-
ing; and very striking likeness it is of
that unfortunate mouarch-but bark, here
comes The Queen, with her chamberlain
and ladies, from chapel; now, Lucy, is the
time. ! will step into the recess yonder,
but you must remain alone, standing where
you are, aud when her majesty approaches
near enough, kneel down on one knee be-
fore her, ard present your fathers petition.
She who walks little in advance of the
other ladies is the Queen. BE of good
courage, and address yourself Ia her."
Lady Clarendon then made hasty re-
treat. Lucy's hear, fluttered violently when
she found herself alone, hut her resolution
did not fail her; and while her lips moved
violently in fervent prayer TO the Almighty
for his assistance in this trying moment,
she stood with folded hands, pale, CONFUSED,
and moiiouless as statue, awaiting the
Queens approach and when her majesty
drew near the spot, she advanced "A step
forward, knelt and presented the petition.
The extreme beauty ofthe child, her deep
mourning, the touching sadness of her look
and manners, and, above all, the streaming
tears which bedewed her face, excited the
Queens attention aud interest /; she paused,
spoke kindly To her, and took the offered
paper bui when she saw the name OF Lord
Preston her color rose. She frowned, cast
the petition from her, and would have pas
sed on, but Lucy, who had watched her
couutenance with degree of ANXIOUS in-
terest that amounted to agony, losing all
awe of royalty in her fears for her father,
put forth her hand, and graspiug the |
Queen's robe, cried in an imploring tone
Spare my falher-my dear, dear father,
royal ladyr Lucy had meant tn say many
IL
her sore distaess, aud could only repeat the
words mercy, mercy, for my father, gra-
cious Queen y till her vebemence emotion
choked her voice and throwing her arms
around the Queens neck, she leaned her
head against her majesty's person for sup
port, and sobbed aloud.
The intense sorrow Of u child is always
peculiarly touching; but the circumstances
andrr which Lucy appeared were more
than commonly affecting. IL was u daugh-
ter, not beyond the season ofinfancy, over
mastering the tmidity Of that tender age,
to become the supplinnt Ia an offended SOW
ereign for the life of father. Queen Ma
ry piried the distress of her young petition
er, but she considered the death of Lord
Presto ns u matter Of political necessity
she therefore told Lucy mildly, but firmly,
that she could not grant her request.
But he is good and kind to every one
said Lucy, raising her blue eyes which
were swimming with tears, to the face Of
the Queen.
lie may he so to you, child returned
her majesty hut he has broken The law of
his country, aud therefore must die.
Bot you can pardon him if you choose
To- do SO, mndam,' replied Lucy and ]
have read that God is well pleased with
those who forgive; for he has said, Bles-
sed are the mercifaI, for they shall obtain
mercy"
1T does not become n little girl like you
to attempt to instruct me- replied the
Queen, grayely . am acquainted with
my duty and as il is my place To admin I
lister justice impauially, it is not possible
for me to pardon your farther, however
painful it may be for me to deny the request
Of so dutlful child
Lucy did not reply she only raised her |
eyes with an appealing look to the Queen |
and then turned them expressively on the
portrait of King James, opposite to which /
her majesty was standing. There was
something 10 that look that bore no COM
mon meaning and the Queen, whose curl |
osity was excited by the peculiarly ernphalic |
manner Of the child, could not refrain from 4
asking wherefore she gszed so earnestly |
upon that picture.
was thinking replied Lady Lucy, |
show strange 1t was that you should wish To /
kill my father, only because he loved yours
so faiihfullyp Il
THIS wise bat arless reproof from the .
lips of iufant innocence, went to the hear, .
of the Queen; she raised her eyes to the
once dear and honored connienancc Of
parent, who, whatever were his political err
r.ra Linz Ia. ,,Hsucc. .o..,.s, ,.,l