The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-11

dnOtncr QOuDt entered ncr nedTt ana nred IL
with fierce passions again. What if Essex
no longer possessed the ring? What if he
had parted with the gift as a love-token to
some other woman ? This doubt became in
supportabe; and. as she stood there in all
the pomp of her regal state, it fastened on
her like bird Of prey; she could not shake
it off; and when Elizabeth returned to her
closet hours after, she was almost as much an
object OF compassion as the wretched woman
whom she had forgotten there.
The countess OF Essex had been alone in
that gorgeous little room all the time that f.
lizabeth was occupied with her court. The
torturlng suspense of each miserable hour as
it crept by, no tongue can describe. She
had neither strength nor courage to 90 away,
and seating herself upon one of the crimson
chars, remained motionless and heart-sick,
waiting for her destiny.
1t came at last, for the old Queen entered
her cabinet having dismissed her ladies' in
waiting at the door. She too was suffering
the stern torture of suspense, and had come
there for rest and solitude The unhappy
Countess arose as she saw the Queen. Her
clasped hands dropped meeklv downward>,
and her lips grew pallid.as she was preparing
herself for some cruel taunt, some bitter sneer
from the royal lips.
But if Elizabeth could have found it in her
heart to increase the atliirtion that oppressed
the poor suppIiant she had no time for such
cruelty. Scarcely had she reached her chair
when an aged gcntlewoman of the bcd-cham-
Der opened the door and announccd-"The
Lady Blunt, Countess Dowagcr of Leicester
This lady seemed completely exhausted with
the terrible SORROWS of that weary dav Sh,
approached the Queen, tottering in her walk
and knelt at her feet
"WeII," said Elizabeth sharply, for she wa,
almost as anxious as the suppliant at her feet
our order admitted YOU, doubtless, and voul
son; felt he proper sense of our clcmcnc,
in granting the visit.
'lic was grateful, and upon his bcndct
knees hcSought many blessing upon the mis-
trc>> who could thus send comfort to an of
+ icndin. servant. He"
But the ring-thc ring, Why talk OF
: lesser things, woman Ii Essex is in trutl
= pcnitcnt, he has sent the ring gwen with ou
own hand, under solemn pleLs se of mercy
D even though his crime were deserving death
, II ne mas sent the ring, render II mp al once
t 1t should plead his cause against our whol,
' council-nay, against all England ~
>. Alas, Alas" SAID the Countess, he CAV,
!. me no ring
r Nor mentioned one 2" said the Queen, still
III a sharp. anxious voice.
:. Nor mentioned onc," was the faint, an,
Z heart-broken reply.
e Then God have mercy upon him, for
t. will have none"
Elizabeth stopped as she spoke, and too
e up the roll of parchment which still lay whcr
e she had trampcd it on the carpet. She lai
lr it upon the silver cabinet slowly smoothin
n it out with both hands; very pale those hanc
lc were. and 50 also was her face, but ever
feature seemed locked with fierce resolution
III she was calm and stern As death
H. When the parchment was smoothed. Elz
- beth took a pen from the standi>h before he
and, without tremor or a pause of momcn
,g wrote her signiture. Acry of terrible al
lit gul>h broke from the two women as they sa
her take up the pen. and cast themselves
t;c her feet. clinging wildly to her robe
o. Elizabeth took no heed, but appended the
MS sual bold hourishcs to her signature, al
a. touched bell that stood upon the cabinet
IN Take this to the Lord Chancellor. and St
,r that the great seal is affixed" she said to Il
"a, person WHO entcrcd-.then conduct these
h,. dies from the palace, and see that they ent
-. 1t no more"
nd That parchment" cried the Countess
,r- Essex, following the man, as he went fort
NJ with her wild cyes-''Grcat Queen, in mcr
,ot say it is not--t is not"
,ot The wretched wife could not finish t
on question she had begun: her lips seem
-. turned to ice. and her breath chok ed her
~ 1T is the Earl of Essex death warrant
be said Elizabeth. stcrnly. "Go.'
Of She lifted her withered finger, and point
toward the door
his The Young wife knelt motionless, froz
,ut as it were with the horrid truth that had be
re- told her; bu. the mother of Essex stood u
her lips were ashen, her eyes had terril
sat light in them.
ce. elisabeth of England the Great God
or, Heaven will call you to judgement for Il
ne act. ~
art Before the Queen had rallied from the a
ion with which these words had filled even /
undaunted spirit Lady Blunt had raissd
ler daughter-in-aw from the floor
ed. My daughter, let us 90. Henceforth
lad must only trust the God who will aveI
h us"
oor \ moment after, and the old Queen '
alone.
her HAPTERI II.
ign 1t was done the ak had fallen.
alb Queens dignity was saved, and her he
be broken. She was at her harp>chord wi