Year: 1861




brain; and looking, as hc did, upon her flashing
eyes and glowing checks, wha, marvel if, for
moment the strong man Ne't weak and unsrung
in the great charm Of the question she had put
to him.


DO | love thee I? he said, brokenly. God
who is above US. and the heaven and the earth
that is about and around us, car attest it, I
do love thee, thon beautiful!
| Then a great trembe ran throughout her
frame for the words fell upon her ear with an
inconceivnbe delight; and then she well knew
how deeply and ierveuty she loved the banner
bearer and after moments pause, she said


Thou lowest me 1t is frank confession
and


'Speak-srea on cried Sir Raby.
And IL accept it | return it; for never
nober man went forth to meet his foe than
thou. But |. dear Raby-I am doweress.


And by the light Of heaven, said the other
hadst thou been n princess, and loaded with
yellow gold, it would never have taken my
fancy. I love thee for thy self alone, and in
thee centres all the hopes Of earthly happiness
| crave


There is my band-my roth--my plight
said Genevicvc with frankness, and an open
and Unborn nobility of nature so genuine and
so outspoken, that, dazzed with the precious
prize TINS becoming his with such apparent lit
tie pains to WOO, he could not speak, but sink
ing on one knee to the ground, he lifted up tho
far white hand to his lips, and kissed it with
reverence and fervent love like that of wor-
ship.


Thou art mine. thcn-thou art mine ! he
cried gaspingly. i mind now, even when the
fever aud the delirium was en- me, that there
was promise in thy dove.ike eyes, such as
men read in the evening rainbow


Accept the omen Raby Copelanje and so
may heaven deal with thee as thou deaest with
me =


Then life will be to me one long blessing!'
cried the impassioned man, rising to his feet,
and this time pressing upon her lips that first
kiss of love and the seal of their troth- plight.
which forms moment in human life not easily
forgotten.


And SO they walked murmurngly on in the
soft moonshne, down and along the garden
walks


The mother and the son, in the meantime and
while this scene was was passing--the stern
Dame Eleanor, and the milder.hearted Lord
Berry Pomeroy- we're standing together in the
embrasures of window which commanded full
view Of the scene we have described; and if no
words of the speakers reached their ears, it was
not difficult to understand what the purport Of
their conversation was.


'Dost thou see that, Berry 2 said the lady, in
a kissing whisper at his ear.


She loves him she sad she loves him +


And thou And the proud. fond mother
looked inquiringly into her sons beloved eyes


i loved her, too but think not-I am
sure not as Raby Copelande did ! was his au.
swcr


And thou wilt join their hands q


Yes my mother said Lord Berry, very
quietly, and still with that intention of purpose
in his tone that was not mistaken.


And wiring thy heart 3 asked Dame Eean.
or, anxious for him, and with no thought or
feeling beyond.


'No-i love Raby, too! 1t is a piece Of
good mannoss at times, fair mother, to suffer
that others may enjoy 1t shall not be said
that my mothers son could not make sacri.
fee!


And still his eyes followed the pair with
friendly, tender longing, all adown the garden.


why. let it be so.' said his mother, since
thou will have it SO. did think that thy hap
piocss was bound up in her, and would have
had her thine!


why, so it is, my mother said Berry, in
reply and for that alone would not have
her mine! lie hath won her IN knightly fash
ion, and hath wooed her like mani What.
my mother! because she is a woman shall she
not owe him ransom- he who saved her life 2


Or she saved his.'


1T was life for life, and it is still the same
thing


wit thou have it so 2 asked bis mother.
with an anxious look into his face.


Yes, on my honor! was his answer.


Then be it sc" said the proud lady, whose
word was not accustomed to be gansayed.


And SO it was; and Raby CopeIando of
Champernouuc married the fair Genevieve
MoDtacute, and founded line Of commoners
who are prouder Of their origin that if they had
come over with the Conqueror, and taken ducal
titles out Of the share of the noble bandits
booty.