CHAPTER X. And when Love's torch hath set the heart in flame, Old Play. In a musing mood, Roland Græme upon the ensuing morning betook himself to the battlements of the castle, as a spot where he might indulge the course of his thick-coming fancies with least chance of interruption. But his place of retirement was in the present case ill chosen, for he was presently joined by Master Elias Henderson. << I sought you, young man," said the preacher, << having to speak of something which concerns you nearly.» The page had no pretence for avoiding the conference which the chaplain thus offered though he felt that it might prove an embarrassing one. << In teaching thee, as far as my feeble knowledge hath permitted, thy duty towards God,» your said the chaplain, « there are particulars of duty towards man, upon which I was unwilling long or much to insist. You are here in the service of a lady, honourable as touching her birth, deserving of all compassion as respects her misfortunes, and garnished with even but too many of those outward qualities which win men's regard and affection. Have you ever considered your regard to this Lady Mary of Scotland, in its true light and bearing?» « I trust, reverend sir,» replied Roland Græme, «< that I am well aware of the duties a servant in my condition owes to his royal mistress, especially in her lowly and distressed condition.>> « True, answered the preacher, « but it is even that honest feeling which may, in the Lady Mary's case, carry thee into great crime and treachery."> « How so, reverend sir?» replied the page; « I profess I understand you not.>> " « I speak to you not of the crimes, of this illadvised lady," said the preacher; « they are not subjects for the ears of her sworn servant. But it is enough to say, that this unhappy person hath rejected more offers of grace, more hopes of glory, than ever were held out to earthly princes; and that she is now, her day of favour being passed, sequestered in this lonely castle, for the common weal of the people of Scotland, and it may be for the benefit of her own soul.»> « Reverend sir," said Roland, somewhat impatiently, «I am but too well aware that my un fortunate mistress is imprisoned, since I have the misfortune to share in her restraint myself-of which, to speak sooth, I am heartily weary.» « It is even of that which I am about to speak,>> said the chaplain mildly; «but first, my good Roland, look forth on the pleasant prospect of yonder cultivated plain. You see, where the smoke arises, yonder village standing half hidden by the trees, and you know it to be the dwellingplace of peace and industry. From space to space, each by the side of its own stream, you see the gray towers of barons, with cottages interspersed; and you know that they also, with their household, are now living in unity; the lance hung up on the wall, and the sword resting in its sheath. You see, too, more than one fair church, where the pure waters of life are offered to the thirsty, and where the hungry are refreshed with spiritual food. What would he deserve, who should bring fire and slaughter into so fair and happy a scene who should bare the swords of the gentry, and turn them against each other who should give tower and cottage to the flames, and slake the embers with the blood of the in-dwellers?-What would he deserve who should lift up again that ancient Dagon of Superstition, whom the worthies of the time have beaten down, and who should once more make the churches of God the high places of Baal?» « You have limned a frightful picture, reverend sir," said Roland Græme; « yet I guess not whom you would charge with the purpose of effecting a change so horrible.»> «God forbid,» replied the preacher, « that I should say to thee, thou art the man Yet be ware, Roland Græme, that thou, in serving thy mistress, hold fast the still higher service which thou owest to the peace of thy country, and the prosperity of her inhabitants; else, Roland Græme, thou mayest be the very man upon whose head will fall the curses and assured punishment due to such work. If thou art won by the song of these syrens to aid that unhappy lady's escape from this place of penitence and security, it is over with the peace of Scotland's cottages, and with the prosperity of her palaces -and the babe unborn shall curse the name of the man, who gave inlet to the disorder which will follow the war betwixt the mother and the son." « I know of no such plan, reverend sir,» answered the page, «and therefore can aid none such. My duty towards the Queen has been simply that of an attendant; it is a task of which, at times, I would willingly have been freed, nevertheless» It is to prepare thee for the enjoyment of something more of liberty," said the preacher, " that I have endeavoured to impress upon you the deep responsibility under which your office must be discharged. George Douglas hath told the Lady Lochleven that you are weary of this service, and my intercession hath partly deter mined her good ladyship, that, as your discharge cannot be granted, you shall, instead, be employed in certain commissions on the mainland, which have hitherto been discharged by other persons of confidence. Wherefore, come with me to the lady, for even to-day such duty will be imposed on you. » << I trust you will hold me excused, reverend sir,” said the page, who felt that an increase of confidence on the part of the Lady of the Castle and her family would render his situation in a moral view doubly embarrassing, «one cannot serve two masters-and I much fear that my mistress will not hold me excused for taking employment under another.» << Fear not that," said the preacher, « her consent shall be asked and obtained. I fear she will yield it but too easily, as hoping to avail herself of your agency to maintain correspondence with her friends, as those falsely call themselves, who would make her name the watch-word for civil war.» « And thus," said the page, «I will be exposed to suspicion on all sides; for my mistress will consider me as a spy placed on her by her enemies, seeing me so far trusted by them; and the Lady Lochleven will never cease to suspect the possibility of my betraying her, because circumstances put it into my power to do so I would rather remain as I am.” There followed a pause of one or two minutes, during which Henderson looked steadily in Ro |