The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-12-11

honor forblds him TO cherish towards YOU any
feeling warmer than respect, !"
He had LEFT the apartment before the disap-
pointed fair one recovered from the stupor OF
surprise occasioned by his parting words.
What did the lovely Italian, her profiered heart
and hand thus unceremoniousy rejected
She paced her apartment huuiedly for some
moments-she surveyed her slighted charms
in the mirror-the glorious abundance OF her
dark locks-the eyes more brilliant for the
scorn that flashed from them-the checks suf-
fused With the deepest crimson OF resentment
she vowed revenge on the youth. ON her I'M
known rival, OH all the world Finally, she
rung for her maid gathered her rich uesses
into head-dress more becoming than any she
had ever worn before donned her most gor-
geous robes, and prepared TO attend the
" solemn ball' given by the Duchess of Pom
erania.
'' He will be there !" she murmured--" and
he shall feel my scorn The Queen will
command his attendance; oh, yes he will be
there :"
Hepburn, meanwhile, was ushered into tho
Queen cabinet having earnestly requested an
audience. Mary was dressed for the festival.
:. BE sure,' she said, gracioasly, in reply TO
the knights statement that he had dear boom
TO crave, the nature OF which. however, she
mistook-'' BE sure. / will use my utmost in
fuence thought, indeed, when saw you
first so pensive and love stricken--that not so
soon--well! you are a man. wherefore should
you not forget! And the kings wish is real
ized"-
THE kings wish Then your majesty
will pardon me !" exclaimed Hepburn.
Ill aye, that will | but the lady .! for to
say truth. expected more constancy from you
thought pot TO see so bold heart so quickly
subdued I"
GOOD heaven, !" cried tho bewildered
knight :" how should your majesty know"
=" How strangely you ask what should ]
know come you not 10 ask Of me the hand Of
our fair Marchesel" 7"
with quite another purpose. I come TO thank
your majesty for your gracious Gavors towards
me- and TO pray your permission TO depart inn
medaely TO Join the kings army"
:" How would you leave mo Tell me,
entreat you-sir knight, what has happened
How Is III that you, whom ] saw to-day 80
happy in the circle OF my danes, wish to leave
us SO suddenly o-nieh, J"
Hepburn crimsoncd to the very temples I;
but assuming an air Of gallan,ry--" My gra-
cious queen" he said. 1T is even because
was too well pleased in so fair a circle Who
enters a garden SO rich, may be tempted to
pluck sorpe of It's flowers; and I"--
You would fly from temptation is your
heart then so weak! Untried virtue is no vir-
tue. Is your love so mutable, 'ts proof that it
would not tast a lifetime your fair one has an
escape rs well AS you. II your love be strong
fair knight, can it not withstand 80 light
trial 7"
"Call you the trial light"
+" Ha you have felt IL, then Well "a low
ing. single, true heart doth hold all trials light
Remain with u.s. you have been unhappy IN
your love; choose among the daughters Of
this land one easier to obtain. Stay with us.
Your Queen asks Z"
The youth was sore beset. at is my duty
to stay IL You command it," he said but
humbly, on my knee, beg the favor of dis
missal"
The Queen pondered long, resting her head
on her hand, and spoke at length with more
serious air.
- will not gainsay your wish but ere we
part, may do you sevice-a woman's wit
has guessed your secret: but confde to me the
obdurate fair ones name"
Painful as was the revival of hearts wasting
grief, Hepburn could not deny the confidence
which the royal Mary honored him by asking.
She wrote a letter, which she sealed and Sc.
cured with silken string, aud gave HIM for the
hand Of Gustavus. Go" she said At length
a." Go, noble knight; forget not your country
woman--Day. ! trust we soon shall meet again ~
She held out her hand Hepburn kueele1 and
kissed ii then rose and rctreatcd towards the
the door.
The Queen called him back before he had
reached threshold. - would give YOU" she
said, "a memento Of this hour, and Of this in
teriew." She drew a ring from her finger;
" See" she continued, smiling" the beauti-
ful store in the midst is opal it CLEANS with
all the colors Of the rainbo~ bur though much
larger, u has not half the value Of one Of the
brlllianis that Surround it. tis easily impress
ed you may cut il with your dagger. you may
break il in pieces on the ground. The stones
that encircle it, on the contrary, are hard. in
desiructlble. The opal is the heart Of man
soft, opdqne The gay colors play Oh tho out
side, II varies in every ray IL shines not in the
fire as in the clear beam Of beayeD."
Hepburn cast down his eyes, and teddsncd
the Queen continued, playfuliy-" JhcSc stones
are diamonds; pure and firm like the heart OF
woman, transparent rs light not on tb. sur
face, but Ui0tin the coIors CLEAN; II boards the
burning ray for winters gloom. See, knight
the stones that encircle the opal. give tho fiog
its value so is mans heart only OF price when
the affection Of woman cliDgs TO IL. Take the
ring. aud remember my words may Il prove
ialismsn TO you! Should fortune crown your
love, give it to your bride, aud tell her what
have said ~
CHAPTER w.
II was almost DARK when Hepburn, and a
small body Of horse under his command, reach
ed the kings camp near Wrezen. Shouts
greeted HIM when he was recognised by the sol
diers, Who dismissed from duty, we're lounging
10 groups about the encampmenf. number
we're assembled around rude block or pulpit,
on which msn was eagerly hs,snguing them
in broken Getnsn. Hepburn stopped bis horse
to observe him. lie was apparently about sew
eDiy years Of age. with countensnce so SINS
ter aud fofbiddiog. that tie fret sight Of him
might well excite suspicion. The uoeouih yet
fantastic style Of his apparel strengthened the
impression Of disgust; and his long beard, tan
sIed and une at, added 10 the wIldDsss Of bis