her comfortable bofom, preffing his brow with her

hand.

William paffeth on hurriedly. One taketh the children afide. Helen runs for a cordial.

The loving wife feels her husband's hand, now hanging cold and liftlefs by his fide. The fingers be twitching nervously. She loofeth his ruff, chafeth his temples, drabbles fresh water in his face, holdeth a cafket of pungent herbs to his nofe, kiffeth him tenderly, earnestly!

Already day is finking behind the leaflefs forest. The whole sky weftward and away to the north is lurid, as Sir Thomas, with a heavy figh, opens his eyes. He did not fpeak, but quietly gazed round on each and all the familiar objects of that dear home, his fight following the wild pidgeons-upwards.

And Dame Elizabeth held his wrists, feeling the blood pass flow-very flow: but full-very full! And she mused awhile; looking on that red fun now colouring even her husband's pale cold cheek. "Is this the image of the end?" she whispered to herself, "On earth as it is in Heaven!"

And now William cometh forth armed for the journey. There was no need to ask whither wilt, or what the errand.

Sir Thomas bleffeth his Son.

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He kneels at his father's feet for a bleffing. A faint fmile lighteth up the manly tender face of the old man, but he is motionless. His wife, now raising his hands, placeth them on the head of their fon-their only fon! The woman hid her face, weeping. No ftranger could have heard the words in which the parent bleffed his child. 'Twas a Patriarch's bleffing-fuch as yourself may have

had-" God be gracious unto thee, my Son!"

And the wind began to blow fitfully through the groves, and about the gables and battlements of Chenies; and a cold fleet pattered against the windows, as William, followed by 'Zekiel and Davy, rapidly rode across the Park, taking the nearest way to London.

And Dame Elizabeth, with fome help, brought Sir Thomas to the fire, in his own closet, behind the Armoury. Now the embers were fading, fo fhe raked them; and a nearly confumed brand lying across the Dogges, she eked with little half-charred pieces, fanning them with her apron, watching her husband at times. And anon there was a fheen light in the room, and the Knight gat warmer, and could move his limbs a little-a very little.

He fat in his old chair, gazing at the fire, his hands

resting on his knees. His vifage was very awed and fad, the skin drawn tight, as it were, and the eye dim; his mouth compressed, his brow contract. After a while, motioning that he would be alone with his God, the dear wife kiffing him reverently and with full affection, he preffeth her to his loving heart. It was a long, a foft, a true embrace.

So Dame Elizabeth left her husband, clofing the door quietly behind her. And the fpake to the household, defiring them to be still, nor let any enter to disturb Sir Thomas.

Then, putting on her cloak and muffler, and fettling her mask, she took her gentlewoman and a little foot-page, and fo fet off for even-fong. Coming to old Chenies Church, she spake with Parson Homily in the Vestry; and, at the proper time, the Vicar standing at his desk, cried, "Your prayers are defired for one who 'th whilolm knelt here, now under her Majesty's displeasure." And so they interceded, all of them kneeling humbly. They knew, fomehow, that 'twas of the young Earl the good Clerk spake.

And, fervice being over, the candles on the Altar were left alight and a paffing-bell was ordered, that it should

toll throughout the night and until morning prayer, that fo they who were charitably disposed might be warned to afk the merciful God, Creator of all men, to spare that life he had to a good end given.—Yet a little while until he shall have gained strength to depart. And there were fome who prayed that the Searcher of all hearts would put it to the Queen to be piteous and forgiving to him whom she had once fo delighted to honour. And these words might be heard ever and anon: Hear, O God! the forrowful fighing of the prisoner; and comfort all those who are in forrow and difmay."

And the pious lady stayed there at the rails, in the chancel, caft upon the ground, weeping and praying.

Now at the Hall the light flickered and the fplanks crackled on the hearth. And a little flurried Ruddock, who was wont to be fed by Sir Thomas, would bob against the glafs as willing to come in: and, the paffing-bell then tolling, the Knight began to remember himself somewhat. So he groped his way to a fecret niche, where was fet up a prayer-table for his daily private use; and, hardly coming thither, he kneeled down reverently, clasping his hands and resting his head thereon, breathing out his fpirit quietly.

And presently his beard had drooped upon his breast, for his mind was overwrought and his fenfe decayed.

And it seemed to him that that young man, in whose life he had rejoiced, stood beside him, and that there were now about him in the Great Hall, or some fuch place, all those whom he had known and loved thoro' his long and kindly life and he heard fweet founds, as of familiar voices talking with him, and there was a sense of peace within the old man's heart, and his spirit was delighted.

:

The wind hurtled among the chimney-tops, and heavy gufts now and again whirred through the corridor and lobbies, shaking the very house. And the little bird bobbed again, but feebly, 'gainst the window. And the fleet was trickling down the lattice, and bubbling in the soft lead joints. There was a found as of a door flamming below, and of a pike or fuch falling in the Armoury, and then a cafement above burft open. And now a little paufe. Then did the brand on the Dogges fall among the ashes, smothering itself on the hearth. Sir Thomas Cheney noted not these things, neither did he hear the paffing-bell, then tolling folemnly.

And towards nine o' the clock Dame Elizabeth rofe,