repose with aught of the unquiet passions or vain desires of a mortal.

But notwithstanding these inward struggles, I was outwardly tranquil, and the Lady Bride was not less so; albeit speech seemed scarcely wanting to make me known unto her, for the first glance which she cast upon me, though it was but for a moment, declared full surely that she well remembered him whom she then beheld. Yet, natheless, her look had much of amazement, doubt, and even blame, but these were soon exchanged for her wonted gentleness, and her visage again returned unto its calm sweetness; for albeit my name might sound familiar to her ear, yet did she much marvel to see me in that garb and place. She even doubted if her sense served her truly, and, when convinced that she really beheld me, she would have reproved my coming thus as an artful device; but anon she yielded unto the words of truth, and rejoiced greatly to see one whom she had so long known, like herself withdrawn from the world unto an holy retirement. Howbeit she did promply restrain her surprise at seeing me, and gave direction unto her handmaid with the discrete, or attendant nuns, who until now had awaited in the chamber, that they should go forth awhile; for, said she, "I would speak with this holy man alone, since I have much to impart unto him, and more than is meet to be heard by others than himself. Therefore withdraw, my daughters, for a space, yet still remain so near at hand, as to answer upon brief summons."

Hereupon the sisters withdrew, and I was left. alone with the prioress; the which when she saw

she said unto me in a faint, yet solemn, voice, "Is this, in truth, good Richard, God's mercy unto his fainting servant, to behold thee in such a habit and in such a moment? or are they but a feigned garb and mission wherein thou hast come hither, again to seek speech with me, having learned the place of my retreat? Yet forgive me, if, for -a moment, I seem to doubt thee wrongfully."

Unto this I answered, "Never believe it, Lady, that I could become so profane an impostor; and in sooth, I have certain of our monastery with me who can well testify that I am no other than what I do seem and that I have, for these seven years past, been one of that brotherhood in whose habit I am now clothed."

"This is indeed great and holy consolation !" hereupon exclaimed the prioress, her eyes glistening with triumph and joy, and looking fervently upward unto that heaven whereto she herself was hastening. "These are truly joyful tidings, Richard; for my soul seeketh to be glad in thy salvation, which hath heretofore been much disquieted by misgivings touching thy temporal and spiritual welfare; but now do I trust, that in good hour thou wilt follow me, unto that blessed land where I hope to be before the sun sets on earth, and where the rays of his glory do never go down.

The Lady Bride's fervent desires after my soul's happiness, and her solemn, though joyful and triumphant look unto present death, called forth such a sudden flood of sweet sorrow within my bosom, that it altogether unmanned me; and, taking her thin white hand, I cast me at her feet, as

almost worshipping one who seemed so much divine. If I erred herein, it was unwittingly and without intent, for in truth I beheld nothing earthly in her, and so bowed me unto the heavenly reflection in her visage. I thought, I only gazed upon the departing saint; and if the church's favour be bestowed upon those, who devoutly journey unto the shrines of the glorified servants of God, it seemeth unto me that my sin was only in anticipating the reverence which should be hereafter paid unto one, who, though now an inhabitant of earth, was so soon to be translated unto the skies. Howbeit, the thought of her speedy death filled my soul with sadness, and I ventured to say that, peradventure, it might not yet be so near as she deemed it.

"If thou desirest my happiness, Richard," fervently responded the dying prioress, "cause me not to think so for my human weakness delights it with the belief that, as this is the eve of St. Martin, when I was born unto this world of sin, and when I was professed and consecrated unto a religious life, so it shall behold my new birth into the world of glory!"

I could not reply hereunto, from my sorrowful admiration of the blessed creature upon whom I gazed; who, thereupon calling up her swiftly-declining strength, thus continued: "I pray thee,kind friend, rise, since it is not for the confessor to kneel before his penitent."

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Oh, lady!" returned I, "believe me, I cannot refrain therefrom, since it is unto me an hour of much weakness, and this lowly posture doth best

declare the fervour, the devotion, and the sincerity of mine heart."

"Yet, nevertheless, rise and be calm, good Richard," answered the prioress, "whilst I essay to speak unto thee a while. I would now tell thee of certain passages of my life, not, indeed, in shrift, because confessions be ever best given unto Him who fashioneth the heart, and who alone knoweth the sins and secrets thereof. Unto that All-seeing God, therefore, have I already often declared my transgressions with much sorrow; and tears, bitter tears, have been poured over the remembrance of times gone by, and the avowal of feelings which it were sinful to cherish.

His peace at length came down upon my penitent spirit; and it was no delusion, seeing that its influence was sweet and silent as the summer-dews, and did indeed pass all understanding.-And. therefore, albeit I desired to see a confessor, I have but little to pour into the bosom of the holy church; save gratitude that the lowly plant, which, methinks, would have been blighted by the storms of the world, hath been reared and protected in the garden of God upon earth; and, as my soul trusteth, made fit for blooming still more fairly in His paradise on high.”

The prioress paused for a brief space, yet could I utter nought in reply, from amaze at the wondrous grace and eloquence which seemed poured upon her at this hour; and, therefore, it was without speech of mine intervening, that she again continued thus.

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444 Truly, my friend, I look unto that immortal rest with much hope and gladness; for here, as

thou well knowest, I have had mine hours of trial. of temptation, and even of suffering.-Yes, He who guideth His children with a merciful restraint, hath not withheld from me those tokens of His adoption. I have in truth passed through seasons of earthly weakness and wanderings of thought, which woman's heart and tongue would never acknowledge, save in prayer or at the dying hour. And, I have indeed now to confess how my thoughts have been ever too prone to stray unto thee, Plantagenet, and how often mine heart hath panted to know thy fate, and even that I should again behold thee.-This unhoped-for blessing is now given unto me, and he for whom I too often sighed with a mortal's passion, is happily present with me in the hour which closes all my human sorrows, to behold how earthly love, though verily strong as death, can yet be conquered by heavenly grace; and as a true son of the holy church, to aid me with his ghostly counsels, and guide my spirit in its flight."

"Alas! dearest Lady Bride," exclaimed I, with tearful voice, "Alas! I am all unworthy of such a part: and 'tis rather my sad happiness to learn of thee how a Christian should die."

"Be it so, then, good Plantagenet," answered she; "and right glad shall I be to point out the happy road which thou shalt hereafter travel: for I have ever prayed that thou mightest be blessed both in life and death, albeit thy fate was yet unknown unto me; and, perchance, I did so with more fervour than for aught beside. Now, my kindest friend, will I hide it from thee no longer, since we are about to part for ever upon earth; I