The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1841-03-05


the young Queen, whose sweet features g'owed
with delight, for her husband had met her with
greater appearance of tenderness than she had ever
before noticed. Tlmidly she venured to follow
him 10 the seat he had taken and TO express her
gratitude for the clemency ne had shown to her
half brother Henry was not capable of apprecia-
ting the happiness he conferred when he drew her
gently forward and pressed his lips to the little hand
she had unconscousy extended, The Dowager,
who was not particularly partial to the society of
her son-n-aw, was about 10 withdraw, when, for
the first time since his entrance, he addressed her.
Stay madam, he said, we shall have some bust
mesa anon, that will require your presence Re-
luctanty and with frownng brow, the naughty
woman returned to her seat. Soon after, Dorset
ind Clara entered the apartment, by opposite doors.
The dowager Instantly guessed something of the
nature Of the business referred to. She cast an
angry glance at her son, who having had no oppor-
tnnily of conversng with Clara since his liberation,
was consequently Ignorant of all that had passed,
and naturally supposed himself summoned to an
swer 10 the charge on which he had been imprs-
oned,
The king left the side of his wife, and addressed
the dowager,-' Madam, we are informed that
your consent to the union Of these young persons
is withheld on account of the low birth of the mai
denis this your only objecton''
naughty bow was the reply.
I'VE are glad to hear it,, as it is one that can be
easily dispensed with
Not by letters patent my lord-it is noble birth,
not conferred nobility require, said the dowager
hastily,
'And nobly born we are informed she is, though
we have not yet learned her family said the king,
stepping to the door and giving some whispered
command TO an attendant, who went cut and in
few moments returned with old Alice.
If thar ia MD thp 1ntyoUpr /
have already questioned her more than once, or
Dorset had never received even conditional pro-
mise of mime
Sour questioning may be more successful, said
the king, with calm smile, aud turning to Alice,
he demanded If Clara was her child
she is not was the firm reply.
Not thne!' almost shouted the enraged dowa-
ger, while Dorset and Elizabeth uttered an exca-
nation Of delight. Not thine, traitorcss! whose
Is she them
Alice fixed her eyes steadily on the enraged fea-
lures Of the queslioner as she answered. Her
mother was known as the Lady Eleanor Talbot
The ashy paeness of the dowagers features was
appalling. She glanced startled quick look on
the surrounding group, and her voice did not rise
above whisper as she said, Her father, who was
he?'
Your husband was the still calm reply.
Ii possible the dowager queens features grew
more deadly pale, and she sailed back as if srick-
en- with fierce blow IIenry's face was like that
Of corpse, and the whole group stood white and
molonlrss in the dim light emitted through the
windows, appearing more like IL collection Of
statutes CROPPED together in the centre of the apart
ment than living beings. The dowager was the
first to recover notwithstanding the asonished
Clara by the arm, she dragged her to window,
and tossing back the hair from her forehead, pored
inently over her features, 1t may be so,' she
said in hoarse whisper, it may be, but then she
is ilegitinate p and with smile Of insoenl tr-
umph, she tapped the burning cheek she had been
scrutlnizng, Exasperated at this insult to her los-
ter child, Alice rushed forward and tore her from
the dowager's grasp; and the honest Indignation
laborng in her features was ennob'ing, as she re-
torted, Had her mother lived but one hour longer,
thy own children had been so Eleanor Talbot
was the Wie Of Edward the fourth,*
The mighty anger Of the dowager choked her nj
terauce. 'The proof the proof!' she Kissed forth.
Is here said Alice, taking packet from her
bosom, and bending her knee, she placed it in the
hands Of the king. 'They were welded by the
Bishop of Bath, who is since dead. ] was the only
witness
Henry, scarcely less ugitated than his molhcr-in-
law, took the papers, and rcnd them through
The evidence of the marriage is conclusive he
said, 'but the chd-how are we to be certain that
this is the Lady Eleanors child ?
Il was present at her birth said Alice, 'and there
are other proofs, if necessary
when and where did the Lady Eleanor die =
inquired the king.
Even on the day that king Edward married tina,
woman while he was swearing consnncy to one
wife, the heart h. had broken stopped its pulsa-
tons. Here she died. in this very palace, in this
room. Torsaken by her husband, she had pi,ed
and sickened in this, her solitude Day by day
saw her. still she lived on her broken hearlednes.
for her chid's sake. My child the world thought
it, For it she struggled with anguish and bore uT
against neglect.
alone all the day long would she sit with the
hot tears pouring over the sweet babe she dared
not call her own, vet she lived. At length rulnor
reached her that her husband was about 10 we'd
suolher. ! thought twoud have killed her, but il
did not. She gathered up her strength and went
to the Bishop Of Bath. On her knees she besough
him to give her written proof Of her marriage with
Edward. lie gave those in your highness' pos
session. Sraghtway she, few attendants, my
Self and the little Clara came up to London 10 this
place, where she had first seen the king. II wa.
her intention to seek an interview with him, hougl
for what object she did not inform me- This pal
ice was then only occasionally occupied by Ed
ward, and in this room we waited the return of tht
messenger Lady Eleanor had sent him. A sigh
noise drew her 10 the window. followed leading
the little Clara. In the street below, an open cha
riot had been checked in It's progress. IN i, wa,
Edward and lady Of splendid beauty-but how
unlike the dovelike ovellness Of my poor mistress
Edward was addressing the lady and the sam,
bright smile was on his lips that had wrought sucl
wretchedness to the Lady Eleanor. He raised III,
fair hand Of his companion to his lips and we coult
even hear his gay laugh looken on the Lad,
Eleanor-her face was turned away from me, bu