run on with such a subject," replied her cousin, laughing merrily. "But how dost like the setting of this sleeve?" "It is of a pretty fashion, and of most dainty fabric," said the other, with a careless glance at the dress. "That all thou canst say about it?" responded her companion archly. "Had I asked thee concerning the captain of the queen's guard, wouldst thou have merely said, 'It is of a pretty fashion, and of a most dainty fabric?" here the merry little creature mimicked her companion. "O' my word, no-I should never have heard the last of him. Thou wouldst have given me whole chapters upon every hair of his head." 66 "But is he not a wise and most noble gentleman?" asked her cousin earnestly. Wise, quotha!" exclaimed Alice, with a smile of peculiar meaning. "Wise man ?-wise fiddlestick! In what is he wise? Doth he not talk admirably? So doth a parrot if it be well taught. Wise oyster! And there is but little difference betwixt your oyster and your man. Your oyster hath a beard, so hath your man; -so he need not brag so much on that account. But the difference be all in favor of your oyster; for your oyster is delicate eating, but your man is for no Christian stomach, cook him how you will. Wise calf! Why, there is more philosophy in a forked radish than ever you will find in your wise man." "In truth, Alice, if I did not know thee to be a most kind-hearted wench and a merry, I should think thee very malicious," observed the eldest. "I bear no malice against the poor creatures," replied the other, with pretended meekness. "It would be a right shameful return for the unceasing efforts they make to amuse me. Well, it be not their fault that they have not more sense; and considering how foolish they are by nature, I must do them the justice to say, that they do as well as they can.' "But I can not love thee, if thou wilt not love Walter," said Mistress Throckmorton, looking with much seriousness in the face of her witty relative. "Love him, coz!" exclaimed Alice, affectionately kissing her forehead. "I will do anything to pleasure thee.” And thereupon the two cousins did caress one another with a lovingness that was most touching to behold. But if he make thee melancholy, I'll be hanged if I love him," continued she with much emphasis. "It be not his fault, dear Alice," re "He is always plied her companion. good and kind and noble. I alone am to blame-I am very much to blame." And, saying this, she suddenly did throw herself upon the neck of her kinswoman, in an uncontrollable agony of hysteric sobs and tears; and wept outright. 66 Bess! Bess! Cousin! Elizabeth!" cried the now alarmed and anxious Alice. What meaneth this? Why are these tears-and for what art thou to blame? Nay, this is mere folly. If the queen find out that Sir Walter love thee, she may be wrath with him and thee for a time, but it will all blow over harmlessly, I'll be bound for it; and there is no occasion to fret thyself till it happen. Come, dry up thy tears, or I will not let thee see him for a month." "I must see him this morning, dear Alice!" remarked her cousin earnestly. "Thou must contrive to let me have speech with him here; for it is of the utmost importance." "Ay, here, Alice," replied she; "my life, all that is dear to me, depends upon it." "Well, if that be the case, I'll strive whatever my love can do to bring it about," responded the other. "But see how monstrously thou hast rumpled my ruff. If the queen see it, she will swear I have been romping." At this they both strove to smooth the creases as well as they could. "And now let me help thee on with thy robe," she continued, as she assisted in attiring her. "Ah, love's a sad thing, and therefore I like it not, dear Bess; for I like merry things." "Thou wilt change thy tune anon, depend on't," said the elder. 66 66 Change my tune? I'll change my nature first," replied the other. By my troth, if the sky were to rain lovers, I'd keep under shelter. Save in the way of sport, if ever I have anything to do with these man animals-why then pickle me. And what a set I have around me at this present! Noah's ark contained not such another. First, I have my Lord Burghley, who looks as virtuous as small beer, and is just as sour upon occasion. taketh upon him to commend my beauty, when the lord treasurer desireth to make himself agreeable to the maid of honor; then sayeth he, with a very infinite gravity, Be chary of thy smile, mistress; butter melts i' the sun! butter melts i' the sun!" And here she mimicked the voice and manner of that most worshipful and profound statesman, of glorious memory, He 66 and then proceeded imitating, in the same ludicrous way, the different individuals she named. Then comes young gravity, his son, Sir Robert Cecil, who hath a smile for every one, and-nothing else; and as he happens to be possessed of a person in no way flattering to the eye, he chooseth to make use of a tongue in every way flattering to the ear. 'Sweet Alice,' saith he, in a whisper if he happen to stand by me in the throng, indeed, I can not help but think thee the flower of the whole court.' After him we have Lord Henry Howard-or rather with him, for they generally hunt in couples, like hounds of better breed; and he is somewhat of a soldier-somewhat of a sailor-somewhat of a gallant, and a great deal of a courtier; and he kisseth my hand cavalierly, and looketh into my eye as if he saw something there he had lost his own modesty, mayhap, if he ever had any—and sweareth me one of the newest oaths, saying, I could stand the enemy, but not those lustrous orbs!" "Alice, thy wit will be the ruin of thee." "Then cometh my Lord Pembroke, the hopeful pupil of that marvellous scholar and exquisite specimen of chivalry, Sir Philip Sidney," continued the laughing girl. "And he readeth me an essay an hour long on the surpassing virtues of the dames of antiquity; and looking the very pink of courtesy, telleth me, Thou wouldst make an admirable Arcadian shepherdess, only the infinite roguery that lurks in the dimple of thy cheek would create a world of mischief among the swains.' Then comes my lord chamberlain, the bluff and martial Earl of Sussex, with guns and pistols in his looks, and cannon-balls in his conversation; and he salutes me most soldierly, with an "Hullo, mistress! were I for kissing, I know the pair of lips I'd choose out of a thousand.' After him we have the proud and impetuous Essex-all splendor-all gallantry-all impulseand all nothing: and he cometh to me alone with an irresistible air, protesting, By this hand, an' I love thee not I am a Turk.'” "Alice! Alice!" exclaimed her cousin seriously, "if thou art heard saying this, thou art utterly undone." "Then cometh the gallant, gay, the learned, witty, brave, and handsomein fact, the very thing-Sir Walter Raleigh." "Alice" cried Mistress Elizabeth Throckmorton, reproachfully. "Well, dear Bess, I will say nothing of him, since it doth not please thee," replied her companion. "And now, because thou art quite ready, and I have teased thee in some measure, I will go and seek the noble captain; for, if I mistake not, he must by this time be in attendance." "There's a good wench!" exclaimed her cousin, kissing her affectionately. "But be cautious in thy proceeding, for if the queen know of his being with thee, Walter will be ruined and I undone." "Be cautious! will I not?" replied the light-hearted creature, with a toss of her little head. "I'll be as sly as a cat stealing of cream; and if her majesty find me out, I'll e'en give her leave to box my ears, as she did those of the lovely Mistress Bridges, who was guilty of having had the presumption to be admired by the imperial Essex. But Bess," continued she, turning round with an arch look, as she reached the door, "'t is a burning shame thou shouldst be in love. I marvel at it hugely. Well, if ever thou catchest me possessed of any of thy melancholy humors, I'll give thee leave to shut me up in a mouse-trap." And with a laugh as shrill and musical as the alarum of a silver bell, did the pretty piece of mirth and mischief leave the room. But her cousin was in no mood to join in her merriment; and immediately Alice was gone she sat herself down in a chair, and there stole over her fair countenance an expression of deep and right eloquent sadness. She sat with her arms crossed upon her lap, most dejectedly; and her soft eyes, swimming in tears, fixed upon the floor. And in that position did she continue for at least the fourth part of an hour, feeding reflection with the delicious food of memory, mingled with so many fearful forebodings as were sufficient, with their bitterness to spoil the sweetness of her thoughts. She wept not, neither did she smile; but it seemed as if in her admirable features there was going on a continual struggle between the most exquisite pleasure and the most direful apprehension, and the latter got such mastery as might suffice to give her lids as much moisture as they could carry, and impress on her well-favored aspect, a character of more than ordinary grief. Anon, her eyes becoming overcharged, there was cast down upon each cheek a tear-drop, and the light falling thereon from the window near which she sat, did make its brilliancy so apparent, that it 66 would have put to shame the brightest | ed, as he observed her head droop, and jewel that ever glittered in her stom- her cheek quite pallid: then cautiously acher; and these gems of purest water, fastening the door, he bore his lovely as if enamored of their fair-resting place, burden to where stood an ewer of water, sought not to move from the spot where which he began presently to sprinkle on they had fallen; which gave to her the her face, all the while using most endearappearance of a most beautiful and moving expressions and caresses, and exhibing Niobe. iting a truly earnest solicitude. Presently she heard a footstep in the They have fastened thy boddice most corridor, and her heart thereupon began infamously tight, dear Bess, and 'tis beto beat with a more perceptible throb-yond my poor wit to loose it," said he bing. The footstep approached, and the earnestly, as he tried unavailingly to undo color mounted to her cheek-it stopped the fastenings of her robe. "S'blood, I at the door, and the cheek became pale have a good mind to rip it up with my as marble. In a moment the door opened dagger; and if she recover not quickly, quickly, and was as quickly closed; and, I will. Dear, dear Bess!" he continued, as a cavalier of a most noble appearance with more emphasis, as he began vigorentered the room, with a half-stifled cry ously to chafe her hands. "Revive thee, of exultation, she rushed toward him, girl-revive! 'Tis I-'tis Walter-thy and sunk swooning upon his breast. Walter, dear Bess. There is nothing to fear, believe me. We have no one near, the queen's in the council chamber, and I have well excused my attendance. Come, Bess, I say-sweetest! dearest ! best! my heart! my life!-Ha, she revives!" he cried joyfully, as he observed signs of returning animation in her countenance. 66 Indeed, I have a mind to scold thee-only I have no heart to do it." "Walter! dear Walter !" murmured the beautiful woman, fixing upon him a look of most impassioned tenderness, directly she recovered sufficient consciousness of where and with whom she was; and then throwing her arms around his neck, and resting her head upon his shoulder, began to sob violently. 66 Now, Bess, this is unkind of thee," said Sir Walter in rather a reproaching tone; but immediately added with a kinder voice, "but what aileth thee, sweetest?" In truth, the cavalier was of a most valiant and commendable presence. His high and expansive forehead was partly concealed by his hat (in which was a little black feather, with a large ruby and pearl drop at the bottom of the sprig, in place of the button); yet sufficient of it was observable to denote the fine intellect that lay within. His eyes were large and intelligent-his nose somewhat long, yet not out of proportion--his lips delicately curved, with a fair mustache on the upper lip, and a beard of moderate growth, handsomely rounded under the chin beneath, encircled by a frilled ruff; and his complexion was somewhat browned, as if by exposure to foreign climates, or hard service in the wars. His stature was six feet full, with limbs elegantly yet strongly moulded. He was apparelled in a white satin pinked vest, close sleeved to the wrist, having over the body of it a brown doublet, finely flowered, and embroidered with pearls; with a belt of the same color and ornament, on the left side of which hung his sword, and on the other was seen the pommel of his dagger. His trunks, with his stockings and riband garters, were all of white, and fringed at the end; and his shoes were of buff, tied with white ribands. He might be somewhere between thirty and forty years of age; that "Alas! I can not tell thee-no, indeed, is to say, in the very prime and vigor of I can not tell thee, dear Walter," said his life. And a braver soldier, a hand- Mistress Elizabeth, sobbing more violentsomer man, or a more accomplished gen-ly; 'but I must leave this place. Do tleman, the court of Elizabeth did not take me away. I can not stay here but contain at that time. a very short time longer without utter destruction to thy fortunes. Oh! take me away, Walter-take me away!" "Bess! Bess! dear, sweet, exquisite Bess!" cried he flinging down his hat, and pressing her in his arms. By "Oh, I have undone thee-I have undone thee quite !" exclaimed she, as plainly as her sobs would allow. "Not while I wear a sword, dear Bess, and am free to go where I will," he replied. "The queen will know all, dear Walter-she must discover it soon." 66 Why so, dear Bess?" inquired Sir Walter. "It shall be as thou desirest, sweetest," Heaven! she hath swooned," he exclaim-replied Raleigh, stooping down and kiss ing her cheek. "I have already arranged | Raleigh, sportively shaking his head at with thy father for a private marriage her. before I embark on a voyage, the good results of which I hope will win my pardon from the queen.' "Thanks, dear Walter," exclaimed she, looking gratefully upon him through her tears; "thou art always good, and noble, and generous; but I am fearful it will be thy utter undoing." "Think not of it, Bess," said her lover kindly, "and then it can not fright thee. But the danger is none so imminent. I shall not let her majesty know of our marriage, if it can be helped. Thou shalt get away from here as if on a visit to thy father in Aldgate, and so excite no suspicions; in the meantime, I will increase my attentions to the queen, so that she shall have no reason to quarrel with my behavior; and when thou art secure in thy asylum, I shall start in my good ships for the voyage I intend." "I would not have thee anger the queen for worlds," observed the other; for it is in her power to make thy fortunes, or mar them. Elizabeth hath a very woman's heart in some things, though she be masculine enough in others; and she loveth the adulation of handsome men. She much regardeth thee, dear Walter, I know, and from that I am fearful that her knowledge of thy marriage will deeply affect thy prosperity. Indeed, I would rather die than that thou shouldst receive injury for my sake." "O'my life, thou art a most admirable creature," exclaimed Sir Walter, as he rapturously pressed her within his arms; "and I should be totally unworthy of possessing that rich argosie, thy affections, were I not to risk my life, and all that to it do belong, in endeavoring to secure thy peace of mind. I fear not consequences in such a case, dear Bess. As for the queen, I know that flattery is rarely unacceptable to her; and her name and thine being the same, I can easily quiet the scruples of my conscience, if they say aught against my insincerity, by imagining that it is to thee my homage is addressed." "I care not, Walter, what thou sayest or what thou doest, as long as thou holdest thy proper quality and station in the court, replied the devoted woman; and then, with a sudden look of right earnest affection, continued-"thy proper quality, said I?—nay, if thou attainest that, by my troth, thou wouldst be king of them all." ""Tis no flattery, dear Walter-'tis the very truth," said Mistress Elizabeth fondly. "And who can look on thy noble form, clad in these princely vestments, and not say the same? But above all, who can regard thy noble mind-that costly jewel in a rich case-and deny thy pre-eminence ?" "Bess! Bess! if thou goest on at this rate," replied Sir Walter, with an assumed gravity, "I shall be reduced to follow the obsolete custom of blushing, which will bear hardly upon me, seeing that I lack blushes most abominably." At this moment a quick, light footstep was heard proceeding along the corridor, and Mistress Elizabeth, as soon as she recognised it, disengaged herself from the embraces of her lover, hastened to the door, which she immediately unfastened, and opening it, gave entrance to her cousin Alice. "A plague on this love, say I," exclaimed she laughingly, as she bounced into the room nearly out of breath. "What's the matter, Alice ?" inquired her cousin anxiously. 66 Ay, what's the matter, sweet coz!" added Sir Walter. "Coz! coz, indeed!" cried Alice, somewhat disdainfully, yet with an arch glance of her eye, as she turned sharp round upon the last speaker-"I prythee keep thy coz-ening for those who will listen to thee. I'll have none on't." "I'faith, Alice, if thy wit be always so sharp, thou wilt lead apes in the next world, depend on't," said Raleigh. "I don't know, sweet sir, whether there be apes in the next world," said she, with a courtesy to the ground; “but o' my word there be nothing else to lead in this, as I can see." At this Sir Walter good humoredly did laugh outright; in which he was heartily joined by his merry companion. "But what brought thee into the room so post-haste, Alice ?" inquired Mistress Elizabeth. 66 Marry, matter enough," replied she⚫ "there be the queen's majesty in her chamber inquiring most piteously for her captain of the guard, and sending the ushers and the grooms in all directions after the lost sheep. I being asked if I knew where he was to be found, did innocently answer, that having for some time past suspected him of the criminal intention of setting the Thames on fire, I did opine that he might be met with in the the laughing Alice, who had remamed on the floor where he had left her, wearing the most pitiful face that eye ever beheld, he was about to make his exit, when Mistress Elizabeth rushed before him. "Stop, Walter," cried she, hastily, "till I see if the coast be clear for thee," as she opened the door, and looking out cautiously, immediately added, in a more subdued voice-"'tis as it should be; and now, dear Walter, let me once more entreat of thee to keep on good terms with the queen." "I will strive all I can, dear Bess," Nay, Alice, I'll help thee not-for|replied her lover, affectionately raising thou dost richly deserve all that thou re- her hand to his lips, "and be sure that ceivest," said Mistress Elizabeth. thou make proper and speedy preparations for thy departure from this place." "Confess that thou hast slandered me, thou pretty mischief," exclaimed Raleigh, holding up the glove threateningly, as she crouched down at his feet. "I will confess, holy father," replied she, with an admirable mock seriousness, as she put her palms together, and turned up her brilliant eyes to his-all the while a smile playing about her dimpled cheek that gave to her face an expression of archness infinitely pleasant to look 66 Daughter! daughter! thy iniquity is palpable," said he with he same gravity. "In the last place, I have just met with master secretary, who saith that the council is about to break up, and inquired if I had seen thee. Thereupon I sent him where I knew he would not find thee, and hastened to where I knew I should." "Thou most do penance for this," observed Raleigh; then somewhat maliciously added, "therefore I do condemn thee to the scarcely endurable punishment of holding thy tongue for a whole hour." "I' faith thou hast it this time, Alice!" exclaimed Mistress Elizabeth, with undisguised glee. "And now, beauties, I must be under the painful necessity of hurrying my departure," said Sir Walter, taking up his hat, and gallantly bowing to the fair cousins; then smiling triumphantly on "I will not fail," said the beautiful woman; and, in the next moment, she was watching the noble form of her affianced husband retreating with hasty strides along the corridor. Sir Walter Raleigh proceeded onward, passing several doors on each side of him, and various passages that led to divers parts of the palace, till he came to a staircase of fair proportions, the balustrades of which were finely carved, having at their extremities rampant lions, most ingeniously wrought out of the solid wood. At the bottom of this flight of steps he passed sundry of the yeomen of the guard, placed there upon duty, who gave him instant salutation; and still advancing, met with pages, grooms, and ushers, hastening on their business, who, with great show of respect, did do him reverence. With these were sometimes mingled the higher officers of the palace, and gentlemen and noblemen of the court, either intent upon their duties, or discoursing with one another, as they walked carelessly along, and with them he did exchange abundance of courtesies. As he was turning sharply round a corner, he came suddenly against a courtier of a very notable aspect, and of right commendable habiliments; his face was fair to look upon, and dressed with a constant smile. An observer might suppose him of an ingenuous nature, and of a remarkable honesty; gentle in his behavior, upright in his conduct, and chivalrous in his disposition: yet was he a thorough courtier, as will anon be made manifest to the reader. He was young; that is to say, of some thirty years or so; and being of a handsome figure and countenance, his apparel, though it lacked the splendor of Sir Walter Raleigh's, was evidently |