The Abbot

ly he fix'd h

hining through

s little arms, an

o? I took the

ll the imp he

T BA

ich he was thus loaded. The face of the lady was strange to him, and her dress different and far more sumptuous than any he remembered. But the boy was naturally of an undaunted temper; and indeed children are generally acute physiognomists, and not only pleased by that which is beautiful in itself, but peculiarly quick in distinguishing and replying to the attentions of those who really love them. If they see a person in company, though a perfect stranger, wh

first question which the Lady of Avenel put to her

n now come so far as the porter's lodge to inquire concer

t of displeasure and surprise; "can you make any doubt of it? What woman but must pity

d to be the mother of the child; I rather think she m

t while the safety of a creature so lovely is uncertain. Go instantly and brin

ily won to the doctrine which their master and protector approved. These sermons, homilies, and lectures, had made a great impression on the mind of the Abbot Eustace, or Eustatius, and were a sufficient spur to the severity and sharpness of his controversy with his old fellow-collegiate; and, ere Queen Mary was dethroned, and while the Catholics still had considerable authority in the Border provinces, he more than once threatened to levy his vassals, and assail and level with the earth that stronghold of heresy the Castle of Avenel. But notwithstanding the Abbot's impotent resentment, and notwithstanding also the disinclination of the country to favour the new religion, Henry Warden proceede

s of Heathergill, in Nicol Forest, [Footnote: A district of Cumberl

tinued the Lady, "so far

order-riders-my husband and my son were slain-there is not a dr

tled land," said the Lady; "the English hands have been as deepl

was not strong enough to save your father's life, or to afford your mother and her infant a place o

Lady, "where misery so often makes wanderers; b

a clearer sight of the gospel, and I have tarried here to enjoy the ministry of that worthy man He

again demanded t

s of no one," answer

ast much less than gracious; and she appeared to give no encouragement to farthe

e danger in which you

providence he was rescued from death.

ion do you

please you; the only relation he hath

ecessarily be grievous to you in your

e, with the same unmoved, dry, and unconcerned tone of v

child could be received into a noble famil

ave him to fan the flies from my lady's face while she sleeps, to carry her train while she walks, to hand her trencher when she feeds, to ride before her on horseback, to walk after her on foot, to sing when she lists, and to be silent when she bids?-a very weathercock, which, though furnished in appearance with wings and plumage, cannot soa

ty; and a sudden sense of the danger to which the child must necessarily be exposed in the

ndance on myself, but upon the good knight my husband. Were he himself the son of a belted earl, he could not better b

nsuccessful,-to stain his hands for the master's bidding in the blood alike of beast and of man,-to be a butcher of harmless deer, a murderer and defacer of God's own image, not at his own pleasure, but at that of his lord,-to live a brawling ruffian, and a common stabber-exposed to

here exposed. My husband is just and kind to those who live under his banner; and you yourself we

man appear

it is my weird.-Swear, then, that you will protect the boy as if he were your own, until I return hither and claim him, and I will consent for a space to part with him

"the boy shall have as much care as if he wer

o forth on my own mission. I will not soften my heart by usel

age?" said the Lady of Avenel, putting into her hands two cr

"proud Lady, that you offer me gold in

the proud woman you term me. Alas! my own fortunes might h

somewhat to relax h

you must needs resume them. I need not money. I am well provided; and I may not care for myself, nor think how, or by whom, I shall be sustained. Farewell, and keep your word. Cause your gates to be opened, and your bridges to be lowered. I will set forward this

e, as she retired, "make your obeisance to her ladyship, a

hould I bend to her?-is it because her kirtle is of silk, and mine of blue lockeram?-Go to, my lady's waiting-woman. Know that the r

mistress imposed silence on her, and commanded that th

ght succeeding the interview, and wandering no one asked whither. The Lady of Avenel inquired under what circumstances she had appeared among them, but could only learn that she was believed to be the widow of some man of consequence among the Graemes who then inhabited the Debateable Land, a name given to a certain portion of territory which was the frequent subject of dispute betwixt Scotland and England-that she had suffered great wrong in some of the frequent forays by which that unfortunate district w

country, were perpetually chasing from their habitations those who had not the means of defence or protection. These wanderers in the land were too often seen, to excite much attention or sympathy. They received the cold relief which was extorted by general feelings of hum

nd to his childish comforts, to watch his boyish sports, became the Lady's favourite amusement. In her circumstances, where the ear only heard the lowing of the cattle from the distant hills, or the heavy step of the warder as he walked upon his post, or the half-envied laugh of her maiden as she turned her wheel, the appearance of the blooming and beautiful boy gave an interest which can hardly be conceived by those who live amid gayer an

became a resident at the castle, a groom, despatched by Sir Halbert, brought tidings that business still delayed the Knight at the Court of Holyrood. The more distant period