Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-19

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mad upon their noble hearts. {
you will think, trow,' whispered the
Earl to Brhlrc Shaw, as soon as this mo-
confusion had in a measure subsi-
ded, as the parties paused for breath, You
will think that we are but boorisl set, and
can decide far better about the qualities of
the contents of our wine-cups, than upon
matters of loitier and more manly nature
NAY, indeed, my Lord rcjoined the
other, with happy elocution, twas not in
the relaxation of convvial hours, that those
actions were wrought which ranked your
people among the wisest aud bravest of the
earth. None may expect that The loosened
brow will speed the QUARREL
Bowing in return for the compliment evil
IDENTITY intended to be conveyed in this reply,
Count BALDWIN rose from his seat and pro-
posed leaving the banquet to their compan-
ions, and adourning to the dance. The fair
young envoy with smile Of acquesencc,
Immediately adjusted his garments, which
had become somewhat displaced in the rev.
ery Of the hour, and following his steps
through the long halls and corridors, until
they reached large oakcn door, quantity
carved upon the outside into Scripture
scenes, which the Count threw open and
motoning for his companion TO enter, they
found themselves in the midst of crowd Of
lords and ladies', whirlng along in n,azes of
the dance, TO the time Of rich and joyous mu-
sic.
! 1t was, indeed, gay scene to look upon.
Banners and cnsigns were dropping from the
walls and ceiling; wreaths and flowers,
woodbine and eegan,ine crcled the massive
pillars that supported the gallery: wherein
the musicians of the court were rolling out
their strains Of melody; beauty, bright,
young beauty, and manly grace and all the
charms of kind and courteous intercourse,
lent their aid to render the passing moments
festive and free from sorrow. But among
the many gistening eyes that rested in adj
miration upon the faultess countenance Of
the youthful Saxon, there was one pair gleam-
ing forth from beneath the snowy brow of
the loveliest maiden in the hall, which told of
ardent, instantaneous affection, of love not 10
be rebuked nor stiiled with impunty. Yes,
the fair daughter of the ruler of the realm,
the beautiful Matilda, she whom we have
seen upon the battements of her fathers
/ towers, listening with cold and chilling apa-
thy to the fierce and imprisoned words that
!, burned upon the lips Of her youthful sutor,
, who little dreamed then, of the future life
that destiny had worked out for him, had at
last been made to feel that tumult in her own
, heart, which she had caused in those of others
} By her side still tarried the hopeless lover,
, and he marked that suddenly, instead of the
passioness, yet friendly words that she be-
: slowed upon HIM, no answers were returned
, TO his reiterated questions. Silent she sat
| gazing fxcdly at some object in the room
} and following with his eyes the direction OF
, her glance, they encountered the smiling
: face of Brhtric Shaw. His heart instantly
rccoled, for with that single look he comprc.
8 hcnded all, and was convinced that all his eff.
forts were worse than useless. With a deer
: drawn sigh he turned away, unno,ced by the
y idol of his affections, and sought, by plung.
= ing deeply into the pleasures of the hour, tC
9 drive from his mind the remembrance of the
It thorn that ranked there. Vain hope!
e One, two, three wecks-a month passed
d away, while the young envoy was detained
f at the Court of Flanders, and most assidu
J., onsly did the fair Matilda endeavor TO attacl
d him to herself, during the hours that he coult
c spare from the business of his mission, ant
draw an acknowledgment that the passio,
= which she but too keenly felt within her owl
!, bosom, was rcciproca,cd by him. But with
: out avail Most true, he seemed to hinge
: around her as much as possible, to anticipate
h all her wishes, serve her with the most devo
IS ted fidelity and become, IN fact, her onl
d companion. But no fire of love kinded il
Is his heart, or shot its Pickering flame throug
!. his sparkling eyes no lisp of fond or tende
" affection, had he suffered 10 escape his lips
II and neither word nor action evinced that h
n regarded her any more than as lovely an
% fascinating woman, and an agreeable com
Re panon with whom to while away the passin
n hours.
ID Thus did the matters progress with the tw
2. she loving with all the concentrated fierce
l. ness and emotion of ardent love /; he, uncon
m scious that he had excited any feelings BIT
r. those which absence, now speedily approach
S, ing, could easily cilacc. Thus, as hav
st said, matters progressed, until the day befor
S. the one assigned for his departure, whe
" Brihtric Shaw received message that tn
Is Princess would be pleased to see him. TIL
10 summons was Immediately obeyed, and fol
" of the Lady Matilda. She was alone in he
I'd apartment, and as the page retired, after hay
" ing ushcred in the envoy, she rose from he
in couch, upon which she had been reclining
I'd and offered her hand to him. Raising it
of his lips with accustomed gallantry, he pres
us ed thereon tender kiss, when he was star
s. led by a warm tear-drop that fell upon h
g, uncovered neck. Looking up, he four
81, with much surprise, that the pearly liquid wi
S. swelling up to the eyes of the lovely nader
and that her cheeks were wet with its owe
q, flow.
ed I'm the name of the holy Virgin, cxho
IA thee lady, to tell me what secret grief h;
It, moved you thus
in For an instant, she gazed into his eyes,
he if she would have read, with the aid Of on
her own passion, the thoughts that were fiji
! ting through his mind, and then as her emit
ry frame was agitated with some inward col
Sc vulsve effort, she threw herself upon his b.
RS som, cncirced his neck with her soft arm