The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-12-01
a Grleft Gtorn..
The Widows Ordeal.
(C'0nciuded.)
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

raised about the ears of the beautiful
duchess. The clustering nephew of the
deceased duke went about, armed to the
teeth, with staggering uncles at each
shoulder, ready to back him, and sworc
the duchess had forfeited her domain.-
1t was in vain that she called all the
saints and angels, and her ladies in at
tendance into the bargain, to witness
that she had passed year and day Of
immaculate fidelity. One fatal hour re-
manned to be accounted for; and into the
space of one little hour, sins enough may
be conjurcd up by evil tongues to blast
the fame of Il whole life of vAtuc.
Tie two gracelc5s uncles who had
seen the world, were ever ready to boil
ster the matter &lrough, and as they
were brawny, broad-shouldercd warriors
and veterans in brawl as well as dcbauch,
they had great sway with the multitude.
If any one pretended to assert the in
nocencc of the duchess, they interrupted
him with loud ha ha ! of derision.-
"a pretty story, truly they would cry,
sabout wolf and dragon, and Il young
widow rescued in the dark by sturdy
varlct, who dares not show his face by
day light. You may tell that to those
who do not know human nature; for our
parts we know the sex, and that's
enough
If, however, the other party repeated
his assertion, they would suddenly knit
their brows, swell, look big, and put
their hands upon their swords. AS few
people like to fight in a cause that does
not touch their own interests, the nephew
and uncles were suffered to have their
way and swaggcr uncontradictcd.
The matter was at length referred to
a tribunal composed of all the dignitarics
of the dukcdom, and many, and repeated
consultations were held. The character
of the duchess throughout the year was
as bright and spotlcss rs the moon on Il
cloudlcss night; one fatal hour of dark
ness alone interviewed to eclipse its
brightness. Finding human sagacity
incapable of dispelling the mystery, it
was determined to leave the question to
heavcn-or, in other words to decide it
by the ordeal Of the sword--a sage tri-
bunal in the age of chivalry. The
nephew and two bully unclcs were to
maintain their accusation in listed com
bat, and six months were allow to the
duchess to provide herself with three
champions to meet them in the ficld.-
Should she fail in this, or should her
champions be vanquishcd, her honor
would be considered as attaintcd, her
fidelity, as forfeited, and her dukcdom
would go to the nephew as a matter of
right.
With this determination the duchess
was fain to comply. Proclamation was
accordingly made, and hcralds sent to
various parts: but day after day, week
after week, and month after month
elapsed, without any champion appear
ing to assert her royalty through that
darksomc hour. The fair widow was
reduced to despair, when tidings reach
ed her of grand tournaments to be held
at Toledo, in celebration of the nuptials
of Don Roderick, the last of the Gothic
kings, with the Morisco princess Exilona.
Asa last resort, the duchess repaired to
the Spanish court, to implore the gal
lantry of its assembled chivalry.
The ancient city of Toledo was a scene
of gorgeous rcvelry on the event of the
royal nuptials. The youthful king, brave
ardent and magnificent, and his lovely
brid bcaming with all the radient beau
ty of the east, were hailed with shouts
and VACCINATIONS wherever they appear
ed. The mobiles We'd with each other in
the luxury of their attire, their pranc-
ing stccds and splendid retinucs; and
the naughty danes of the court appear
ed in blaze of jewels.
In the midst of all this paecantry, the
beautiful, but afflicted Duchess of Lor-
rainc made her approach to the throne
She was dressed in black, closely yelled
four ducnnas of the most staid and Sc
we're aspect, and six beautiful denloiscl-
les, formed her female attendants. She
was guarded by several very ancient
withercd, and grcy-headed cavaliers; and
her train was borne by one of the most
leformcd and diminutive dwarfs in OK
istence.
Advancing to the foot of the throne
she knelt down, and throwing up hcl
veil, revealed countenancc so beautiful
that half the courtiers present were
ready to rcnouncc wives and mistrcsscs
and devote themselves to her service
but when she made known that she came
in quest of champions to defend hel
fame, every cavalier pressed forward tt
offer his arm and sword, without inquir.
ing into the merits of the case; for il
seemed clear that so beauteous a lady
could have done nothing but what wa
right; and that at any rate, she ought tt
be championed in following the bent o
her humor whether right or wrong.
Encouraged by such gallant zeal, thu
duchess suffered herself to be raised from
the ground, and related the whole stor,
of distress. When she concluded, TIT
king remained sometime silent, charmed
by the music of her voice. At length
GAS | hope for salvation, most beautiful
duchess, were | not a sovereign king
and bound in duty to my kingdom,
myself would put lance in rest, to vindi
cate your cause; as it is, here give full
permission to my knights, and promise
| H.. ,,l . e.; EolJ nul +b,+ {ho .on