Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-12-05

ner and Tonstal, became her chief ad
visers in these cruel prosecutions. She
was firm in her determination that Eng
land should become Catholic nation !;
and the young Elizabeth, refusing all en-
treaties to renoance her religion, was soon
made to feel the increased misery of her
position. The Earl of Devonshire, though
strange as it appeared to her, who was
also Protestant, seemed regarded each
day with increased favor by the Queen,
who put on her finest apparel, and array
ed herself in the most tasteful manner
to meet him whenever he came. Atlength
her Majesty declared to her councillors
her determination to marry, and on be-
ing asked if she had made a selection,
she informed them that her choice was
made in favor of Courtenaye, Earl of
Devonshire.
His illustrious lineage and highly es-
| teemed character rendered the selection
she had made, in their eyes, acceptable,
and the proposition received the unani-
nous sanction and approval of both
Houses of Parliament.
The Earl of Devonshire had not been
consulted himself in the matter at all
his consent being taken for granted; but
the sequel proved that they had counted
without their host A formal communi-
cation was made to him of the concur
renee of the Queens Council and Parlia-
ment, that he should be the husband of
her Majesty.
Had thunderbolt fallen on the head
of Lord Devonshire, he could not have
been more surprised. 1t was true that
Mary had of late been exceeding kind
and polite to him but he had never
dreamed of anything beyond the mere
courtesies of the hour. Truly, lady,
he inwardly exclaimed, as he read the
communication second time, "you have
intended to honor me, but l cannot ac-
cept your truly fattering profer, for my
heart is another's. Yes, Elizabeth, to
you is my soul knit as its chosen, only
love and though clouds now obscure
thy youthful path, thy Courtenaye spurns
all offers that exclude thee from his life's
devotion"
He felt himself, however, in dilemma
To refuse the overtures of his sovereign
and the Council, and the Parliament al
large, was painful in the extreme; but
he nevertheless did so, though in terms
as mild and conciliatory as possible.
To describe the rage of the Queen wa:
impossible. She raved, she stormed, she
wept, all by turns and, suspecting q
preferment for Elizabeth was the cause
resolved to treat her with more harsh.
ness than ever. And she kept her word
but yelling her resentment to Lord De.
vonshire, she permitted his visits to the
castle and palace, as formerly, end he
saw Elizabet often. But her counte-
nance became more and more sad, and
he could see her now seldom alone.
Mary watched them narrowly, deter
t mined to find out if her suspicious were
] correct /; and, one evening, during wha
E they teImed stolen interview, in the
? library of Windsor Castle, as Lord De
! vonshire was pouring forth his feelings
S and expressing his undying love for one
/ who had so long possessed his heart, ant
: trusting to some favoring future day tC
be united, the Queen suddenly opened
!, the door, as they sat indulging in hopei
: SO dear to both, and looked for momen
in silence at them. Shakespeare says,
" Hell holds no fury like womans scorn."
2 and Mary felt not only as woman, bu
as Queen, and she poured forth angel
in no measured terms.
b Lord Devonshire made no reply t.
r all her inyectives, but when she shat
finished, seized his opportunity, and bow
ing to each, withdrew. "And you mad
:, am" turning to Elizabeth, who stoot
strembling before her, as she closed tn
door, " you shall suffer for this perfdy-
these secret love meetings. And he shal
: feel it, too p her eyes flashed with tn
fury of a demon. "And now to Won
7 own room 7 pointing with her finger t.
D the door.
e Elizabeth obeyed, glad to escape tn
angry presence of her sister, for whom
r she could not help feeling pity, notwith
o standing; for her beloved Courtenay
s had conided all to her during their brie
n interview. Wretched enough she fell
but in her soul, oppressed though sh
was, and in the hands of a tyrant and
bigot, one thought of beauty and unsul
tied bliss arose in gladness before hel
/ that he whom cba iovad ahox,a al I,,,u.o