The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-18
RoRNG MESSENGER SUNDAY OCTOBER Is

seeing that the city was occupied by his troops
in overpowering force nevertheless. q motive
of policy restrained him for time. He was
anxious, in the first instance, to establish his
dominion on firm and permanent basis and
this he conceived could be Effected only by
breaking once for ell the power of the guilds
and erecting strong citadel in order to over
awe the town this accomplished, he was pre-
pared, without farther delay, to sieze Matilda
and send her off to France.
The arrival and entry of the French troops
had filed Adolf of Nieuwland with the most
serions apprehensions for his young charge.
now in the midst of her enemies, and totally
without defence; for though Deconinck, in-
deed, visited her daily. aud watched over her
without intermission, yet this was not enough
to set at ease the mind of the yonng knight.
After the lapse of some weeks, however, and
finding that no niolestation was offered to tho
fair girl, he began to think that The French
had either forgotten her existence altogether
or else that they kad ceased to have any hos
tile designs against her. Mean while his Wig
orous constitution, and the skiilful care of his
physician, had done their work ; the color had
returned 10 his checks, and activity to his
limbs; but not SO peace aud joy to his breast,
III " bA1h "nS iioW opSucu, III GEutD, d ITeSu
source of anxiety and sadness. Day by day it
was his grief to behold the daughter of his
prince and ben. factor grow paler and paler f;
wasted and sickly, like q blighted flower Ma
t]da piDed away in sorrow and anguish of
heart. And he who owed his life to her tender
and generous care could do nothing to help
her, nothing to comfort her! Neither kind at
tention nor pleasant words would bring smile
upon the countenance of the sorro wing M alden;
sighs and tears were the only utterance of her
heart sighs and tears for her fathers unhappy
lot, of whom no word of tidipgs reached her,
and for the fate of the other dear prisoners,
whom now che thought to see again no more
Adolfs endeavors to mitigate her grief were
incessant and fruitless in vain he sought out
for her the oldest legends and newest toys; in
vain he sang to his harp of the Lions deeds of
valor nothing could rouse her from her de-
preston or dispel her dark forebodings. Gentle
indeed, she was, affectionate and grateful; but
without interest in aught around her. Even
her favorite bird sat apart neglected, with dull
spiritless eye and dropping wing.
Some W eeks had now past since Adolfs COM
plete recovery, when one day with saunterpg
steps he passed the city gates, and struck into
him OIL in dreamy mood towards the little
hamlet of Sevecote. The sun was fast sinking
towards the horizon, and the western sky was
already glowing with the tints of evening.
With head bowed down, and full of bitter
thought Adolf walked on, following the path
and taking little heed whittier
he was going. A tear glistened from beneath
his eyelids, and many heavy sigh broke from
his bosom. A thousand times had he strained
his imagination to fipd some means Of allevi-
ating the young Matilda's lot, and as often had
be fallen back into despair. 80 sad and hopeless
did it appear. And, for himself, what wretched.
ness, what shame! each day, and all day long.
to watch her pinpg away with sorrow, and
sinking into an early grave, and thus to stand
by the while with folded arms, powerless alike
to help, TO counsel, or to console!
ITO be continued.)