Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1845-07-17

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MERCHANDISING
The royal party then rode through the
romantic country that lay between them
and the palace. 1t was Il bright summer
day, and never perhaps was there a fair
or sight than that young and lovely Queen
surrounded as she was by many of the
noblest youths of France and Scotland 4,
moving amid the Wild scenery of her ma
tive land, The caparisoned steeds, bright
cuirass, the siIkcn scarf, sword, and feath-
er Of the noblest, knights, aud gaants,-
the spirited palreys, flowing robes, and
gay costumes Of the maidens, with the
groups Of squires, pages, and attendants,
gave the cavalcade that look Of splendor,
SO graceful in times past, but which when
initiated, with taste and skill, however
great, in these latter days, never rises
beyond the rank Of pagcantry, 'ris mer-
ry,' sings Sir Walter Scott,
"'ris merry, in The good green wood
Where the mavs and mer are singing,
When the court does ride, by its monarch's siie,
With Bit and bride ringing"
And never was there fairer court or
loveier Queen than Scotland saw under
the reign Of Queen Mary.
And now the banquet is DER in Holy
rood, and the stately Abby is gay with
the glare Of lights and the sounds of min
streIy. The great hail was lighted up
with many rows Of tall waxen ,apers; the
cries Of page and lacky were heard in the
court yard as they proclaimed the name
and degree Of each arriving guest. Grave
senators were jos!led in the anle-cham-
bers by youths with curl Ioye-Iocks and
slaShed doublets; mobiles, knights, and
stately danes were there with fair groups
of lovely girls, meet satellites for the
presence Of their youthful Queen.
Within the halo of the royal circle,
Lords Morton aud Lindsay with other
leading names among the mobiles, had
stationed themselves, and there too, were
the Lord DarnIey, Sir George Gordon,
and young Norman Bruce, to whom the
Queen frequently spoke of the flight Of
hawks, that had formed their mornings
pastlme.
Such was the state of things when the
hour for mask and merry device arrived,
and the Queen retired with her ladies to
assume guise to enable her to minglc
freely in this, one Of the most highly ia
vored amusemcnts Of the period.
Queen Mary had no, been long in her
chamber, when one Of her attendants in
formed her that Ellen Lindsay anxously
desired an audience; Admit her in
s,antly, said the Queen, lying down the
mask she was i'll the act of putting on.
My fair Ellen continued she, as the
maiden entered the room, On what mcr.
ny errand art thou come; Nay, by the
good saints! thy cheek is pale, and thine
eyes have a brightness that tells more of
grief than gIadncss-what ais thee, FL
len"
4 would speak with your Majesty a
lone, said the maiden, with suppressed en-
otion. The Queen instantly commanded
her attendants to withdraw. My royal
mistress, said Ellen, kneelng and draw
ing a sparkling ring from her finger,
'Knowest thou this GEM
Il do in soorh, fair Ellen said the
Queen; otis the one | gave thee the
night when the mnion Of the Queen of
France poured poison in my cup, and my
uncle Guise thought that the Scottish
maiden might belray her Queen. Ellen,
the heart Of Mary Stuart must be cold,
ere it forget the right that bauble gives
thee
4 wonld use it nov; but--but,' cried
Ellen, clasping her hands, Il dare mol
speak the favor have come 10 ask
Speak, my fair Lindsay, speak and
fear not!
You loved me once, my royal lady.
said Ellen musingly.
And do so still!-there was time, FL
len, in those happy days when we rambled
ogether on the Seine's green banks; that
would rather have been called thy sister
han Scottish Queen. Now speak to
ne as ye would have spoken then
'And even so IlI speak to thee said
Ellen gaining courage. 'Cans't tell the
boon that Norman Bruce will ask of thee
o-morrow!'
Not |, in soothi' replied the Queen in
urprise.
And you little reck what that boon
nav bc?' said Ellen with a l4ltering tone,
Though her eye frightened with anxiety
S she looked upon the Queen Qaeen
Nary blushed slightly, and looked dis
LEASED and what if il were even as you
ay!' she replied
Then hear me- cried Ellen, throwing J
erser at the Queens feet Let Inc
'ear thy robe and mask, and even now, q
IT Norman Bruce speak his boon TO me-
'Whal!' cried the Queen with flush
t indignation, and is ii Ellen Lindsay
nat couuseIs thus!'
oh, chide me not! cried Ellen, with t
roaming eyes, 'Ye would not ifye knew O
" heart. p
'Dost you love the YOUTH said The t.
.ueen. C
More, more than l(er cried Ellen, n
asplng her hands. Queen Mays brow p
'oked no calmer at this intelligence
he rose from her seat, walked up and
own the chamber aud aDpeared for some Il