Year: 1863

his taking the oath never to reveal his
name and rank, he was at liberty TO go
to his uncle Charles court and reside
there under any title he chose 9TH
erwise, he would be subjected to per-
petual confinement. He rejected these
terms with scorn.


"Tell my mother" said he that /
am not now the weak, yielding boy
she may suppose L know my rights,
and will defend them, and so proclaim
if but to these naked walls. The very
means she has adopted to subdue and
render me tool in her hands, have
reused the spirit of my race within me
and in that spirit will l act. Had she
treated me like mother, would have
loved her, and she might have welded
me to her will. She has never loved
me. / have sued and petitioned for
her favor, but will do so no more
She has taken from my father his
rightful crown and power, and with
excruciting tortures coldly murdered
both him and his adherents. She and
her base panderer Mortimer have en-
broiled my country and debased my
race, and in seeking to degrade one of
its last decendents have reused the
dormant spirit of the lion, and let them
look well to it lest they feel its fangs."


The messenger had departed, and
he sat upon the broad base of the win
dow, refecting upon the probable con-
sequence of his fiery message to his
vindictive parent. "Let them do their
worst, l can but die, and 1 will never
yield my rights. They may torture
me yet more exquisitly than they have
done. They have found that though
these limbs may shrink from pain, the
soul bends not to dishonor. They
have found the trampled reptile will
turn, and we'll moytllvy dread its turn
ing"


He continued musing till quieted by
the tender loveilness of the scene, his
mind assumed calmer tone. He gazed
upon the beautiful picture spread be-
fore him in the mellow light of sunset,
with conflicting emotions. "Oh my
country, art thou indeed to rest under
the debasing influence of tyranny
Has the blood of thy gallant sons been
shed in vain? Oh for giants strength
TO burst these disgraceful bonds, this
hand should give thee liberty, or l
would die in the attempt"


"My SON" Edward started, and
turning beheld a priest standing near
him. "Thinkest thou this could be
accomplished but by the aid of a pow
er mightier than thy puny arm Me
thinkest thou speakest rashly."


pardon me, father, did not speak
unthinkingly. But j have heard that
almost past the endurance of mortal
man TO hear, and his cheek not red
den with shame and indignation AT
the black heartedness of human ma
ture, Sit here and listen to a tale
which will, or | mistake, procure me
thy pardon" And he related the mes
sage of the would-be-queen.


My son, | do not chide thee for
thy just indignation, but for answering
so rashly. | own that she who holds
the regency deserves not thy respect,
but | greatly err, or she will render
yet closer thy imprisonment, and there
by our plans for escape prove abor-
tive"


"No, my father, it is not in her pow
er to prevent it. l have conversed
with Ethwald, and he is ready to as
sist us if allowed to share our flight"


cart thou assured of the faith in
this man"


AYE, for Isabella has departed from
her usual policy, in placing him here
as my jailor. He is my own foster
brother, and who has in secret always
loved me-"


when and how dost thou propose
to escape, my SON"


"Ihis very night-he will bring me
my supper and also cloak and cap
similar TO his own, and a key by which
| can let myself through the great door
of the hall. Those others through
which / will have to pass he viii pur-
posely leave open, and if l am seen,
the cheat will not be discovered on ac-
count of the similarity Of our persons.
He and yourself will leave the castle
by private passage, and meet me
without with horses, and then, "Ho
for liberty and st. George ~ and his
fine features glowed with enthusiasm
as he thus rapidly detailed his plans.
The priest shook his head. Edward,
| fear me this is but wild scheme,
.yet God grant its success. Meanwhile
let us not forget our evening orisons." "


They knelt and poured forth their
souls in prayer, the hand of the aged
man on the bowed head of his young
companion, they supplicated the bless
ing of heaven on their enterprise until
disturbed by the entrance of an atten-
dant with light, who to ther surprise
was not the servant Ethwald. Ed
ward addressed few words to him,
but he left the room without answer
ing. His supper was brought by the
same person, and again they were alone.
Edward was alarmed. Time sped on,
till from the castle clock was announ-
ced the solemn hour of midnight
They heard the measured tread Of the
sentinel on the battlements, but naught
else disturbed the painful Stiffness
Various were their conjectures on the
meaning of Ethwald's absence. And
at length the father left the chamber,
promising that on themorrow he would
if possible, discover the cause of the
servants delinquency. After he had
gone, Edward fancied he he heard q
noise like persons scuffling, door or
two shut with violence, and then all
was still. lie retired to his pallet and
fell into a troubled sleep, from which
he did not waken till the entrance
Of the same man with his food. He
inquired who he was, and why he serv-
ed him instead Of Ethwald. TO all his
tt,r. 49, \ n.