The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-11-18

upookisI garb slowly entered.
.Benedieits. said ne stretching out his hand ;
4 we crave your presence al the council. To-
dig hi the royal stranger will be declared
The council. chamber was neither better nor
worse than large underground grsnary
once used as such by its possessor, ssd well
fitted for its present occnpation, both BY rea-
son OF it's convenience and perfect secIusion.
A passage led from the small chamber where
Sir John received his friends, along which they
Immediately FASTENED TO join audience with
the chiefs. A low door. iatehed and boIied.
admitted them when they saw about a score
Of individuals, many Of great rank and standing
in the nonh, seated round a long table, or
rather iresiIe. A smoky lamp was the only
medium Of illumination, giving porentous
character 10 the scene, exaggerated by dimness
and the lurd clouds which seemed 10 brood
over this ripening embryo Of treason. A seat
a, the upper end was sill vacant. They had
takeo their places 10 silence. and not word
was spoken, either BY way Of recognition or re
mark. De Wilton, looking round, saw his
frcnd, Hubert De Burgh. and two or three
others, newly added TO their ranks A glance
only passed between them, and all became abb
stracted and mediaive as before. DE Wilton
felt q light tap on his shoulder looking round,
a figure beckoned him towards the door. He
obeysd the signal, and from the dark space DO.
yond he heard a whisper in his ear
Thrice was my purpose frustrated. Once,
when that ring was given 10 another; again.
thro' thy swoon in the wiiehs cave, rendering
another interview necessary; and lastly, thy
being discovered in the vault by those who
helped thee 10 q dungeon. IL was from them
] procured the ring but they have now chang
ed places with thee. Hitherto have counter
vailed these mischances, another may not so
easily be overcome with all the power and
presclence possess. Hast thou the ringl
i have
Let it mol leave thine hand. BE silent and
discreet
De Wilton Immediately recognised his beau
tiful unknown, and whether Of earthly or spir-
itual origin. love had first lighted the torch Of
his ambition, and he resolved TO commit him
self to lis guidance. Ere he could reply she
had disappeared.
Soon after he had resumed his seat another
door opened, aud The Prior OF Guisborough,
with hands clasped, and a solemn gaii. entered
the assembly. They rose, bowipg reveIenily 10
this representative Of their faith. The acknowi-
edgement was received with a great show Of
humility. White and flowing locks gave a
sanctiiy 10 his look, much increased by his de-
Won't and quiet demeaDour. He did not set
dowu. but addressed them briefly as follows -
Brethren and friends, the Sovereign Pom
iif, the VicegereDt Of Heaven, hath now absol.
we'd you Of your allegiance, TO Henry Tudor
A low murnur Of appreciation greeted this
announcement.
lie had excommunic,ted yonder impious n.
postate. and MS tue sons Of the Church, your
allegiance now dov0lves upon anotheT-The
CardInalhath bidden me in his place. 10 propose
the restoration TO the throne Of the ancient race
of The PIan,agennets. ! have brought secretly
from o'cr sea the only offspring now Of that H.
lus,rous honse. This individual is niece to
the Cardinal himself, being the only child OF his
brothor Lord Moniacute. and grand daughter
10 Ann Countess Of Salisbury, now, alas prison.
er. IN the Tower, and waiting to be offered
the latter as you we'll know, is daughter to the
Duke OF Clarence, brother IT, Edward w, and
Richard III. 10 direct line from The most re-
nowned our kings. Alas my brethren.
that yonder cruel tyrant hath beca permitted to
shed the blood of every male, save that of his
reverence, in this royal branch and that this
goudy twig alone remains. Speak, is your allie
glance freely rendered =
Tho assembly was evidently taken by surprise
female sovereign they we're not prepared to
expect. The wary churchman observing their
tardiness. again addressed them.
] freely grant. what doubts you appiehend.
that II may be n source Of great weakness TO
this realm should II so happen that a female
WELD the sceptre, seeing firm hand alone can
rescue US from our thraldom. Ii is therefore |
an absolute condition that onr future queen, II |
so be il is your pleasures. shall Immediately
marry. Her maiden reluctance hath been
overcome, and. IN person, she will this night
ieclare TO you her free choice
Immediately there entered fair and stately
orin, followed by female attendants, whom DE
Wilton again recognized as the mysterious be-
l.. I,.. ,l, a
ny. But he held his peace, and depressing all |
tokens Of prior knowledge, awaited the re-
suit.
With modest dignity she took her station
At the head Of the council, the Prior on her
lighi, wheo tho chiefs arose. Waving her hand,
,he thus addressed them:
Friends, Companions in one common cause.
and. sharing one common danger. hath pleas
I'd an a!lwise Providence to appoint me TO du- |
~, which, however unworthy or unwilling To |
execute, must now discharge. My birth de-
mands one privilege, and its exercise thoug gh re-
puguaBt TO my private thoughts. owe TO my I
country aud my faith. | have plighted my |
troth, AMI he whom have chosen is OF roy al lin
cage. To this oRly | bound myself. And
now let him stand forth who holds my pledge
deep silence ensued; but every eye glanc-
ed round to ascertain the object OF her choice.
save that Of De Wilton, who stood forth as the |
bciroihed Of their future queen. Holding up
his right hand, the fiery opal shot an auspicious
lustre.
Pardon me, Sir john she con,inued, .1 at !
,ny request the ring was taken. The purpose
| may nov explain. was educated in = con |
vent al Ghent; but il wac tho Cardinals wish !
1t should be in perfect seclusion. Uukoown,
often mixed with the crowd, where saw De |
Wilioo- Tho Cardinal approved. and indeed
first directed, my choice. His royal iiseass
was not unknown; but I feared lest he who
wen my heart might not bes,ow his owu. A !
well known superstition. if such II be, came TO
my aid-to wit. that il a maiden would win law
fully ano,her's love. let her presen, him with
ring from dead haAs. by which token. if she |
can procure II. he snail prove faithful TO her
chnIce Dardnr ma De WIliau AID IL.