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A Woman's Affection, &c.

band and children love beyond the||self-respect kept alive by finding that altomb, and fastening on eternity. though all abroad be darkness and humilJust near the top was a little flat-ation, yet there is still a little world of "There sir,' says the Guide, 'just there a love at home, of which he is monarch. poor woman and her two children perish-Whereas, a single man is apt to run to ed not long ago-the crathur's husband, waste and self-neglect; to fall to ruins, had died of a decay,and left her desolate, like some deserted mansion, for want of and it was not for her low state, without an inhabitant. I have often had occasion any to do a hand's turn for herself and to remark the fortitude with which woher children, that grieved her; but it was men sustain the most overwhelming rethat she had no means to get masses said verses of fortune. Those disasters which for his sowl; and she thought of him ev-break down the spirit of a man and prosery night suffering away in purgatoy, and trate him in the dust, seem to call forth crying out in the middle of the flames, all the energies of the softer sex, and O, Biddy, jewel, can't you help me out of give such intrepidity and elevation to this torment?" So she thought of coming their character, that at times it approachup here to the rock; it was not the sea-es to sublimity. Nothing can be more son at all for such a work, it was long af- touching than to behold a soft and tenter Hollandtide, and not a pilgrim had der female, who had been all weakness passed up for many a long day; but poor and dependence, and alive to every trivial Biddy was resolved to set out, for her roughness, while treading the prosperous dear Darby was suffering; and as she path of life, suddenly rising in mental was a lone woman, and had no one to force to be the comforter and supporter leave her two children, she took them of her husband under misfortunes, abidwith her and faced the mountain; it was, ing with unshrinking firmness the bitteras I said, a bad season; the day was wet est blast of adversity. As the vine which and windy, and some of her neighbors has long twined its graceful foliage about who saw her going up, shook their heads the oak, and had been lifted by it in sunand wished that God would get her safe shine, will, when the hardy plant is rifted over her blessed work-nobody can tell by the thunderbolt, cling around it with whether she went through all her stations its tendrils, and bind up its shattered or not; the crathur any how tried her bough; so, too, it is beautifully ordered best, and night came down on her, and by Providence that woman, who is the such a night-the storm set in from the ornament of man in his happier hours, north west, the ocean came tumbling in should be his stay and solace when smitfrom the head of Achill-the rain pour-ten with sudden calamity,-winding hered thick, soft and sweeping below, but self into the rugged recesses of his nawas all hard driving sleet on the moun-ture, tenderly supporting the drooping tain. To this spot poor Biddy retreated head, and binding up the broken heart. for shelter, and nothing had she to save Irving. herself and little ones but her thread-bare cloak. To make my story short, the neighWOMAN.-Perhaps one of the most inbors fearing for her, went up next morning in search of her, and here they found of feminine character is an amiable temdispensable and endearing qualifications her and the little things beside her, all per.

stiff and huddled together; the cloak was who does not treasure the meek and genCold and callous must be the man wrapped round the children-the poor tle spirit of a confiding woman. Her lips fond mother (heaven be her rest, and sure it is she is there, dying when doing such may not be sculptured in the lines of beauty, her eye may not roll in dazzling a holy work) had stripped her own body splendor, but if the native smile be ever of its covering to save those she loved ready to welcome, and the glances are better than her own life, but to no pur-fraught with clinging devotion or shrinkpose.' ing sensibility, such must be held as far above "gold and rubies." A few moFEMALE INFLUENCE. I have observed ments of enduring silence would often that a married man falling into misfor-prevent years of discord and unhappiness, tune, is more apt to retrieve his situation but the keen retort and waspish argument in the world than a single one, chiefly too often break the chain of affection link because his spirits are soothed and re-by link,and leave the heart with no tie to trieved by domestic endearments, and his hold it but stern and frigid duty.

claimed Edgar, musingly, and then starting from his reverie, he continued: 'By the cross of St. Peter, thou art right, Athelwold, it were folly to woo an unseen damsel. What sayest thou to a visit to the fair one, that from thy faithful testimony we may be satisfied of her charms.' 'I am at your majesty's commands,' replied Athelwold.

The grey-haired harper had just ceased his song, and the noble guests, weary of the wassail, were beginning to yield to the softening influence of sleep; when Edgar arose from his seat and, waving his hand, retired leaning on the arm of his young favorite Athelwold. Reaching his private chamber he sank into his chair and sat as the object of thy visit to the west, save our

if buried in deep thought for the space of several minutes. Rousing himself from his reverie, he turned to his favorite who stood behind his chair, and said :—

"Athelwold, why is it we hear so much of late from our lords about the peerless Elfrida? By the mass it would seem as if|| my whole court were a wooing this hidden beauty of the west."

"My liege,” replied the complaisant Athelwold, "the fair Elfrida is the princess of beauty, and rumor saith she hath not her equal for a soft eye and a fair skin in all your majesty's dominions."

Then let to-morrow's dawn see thee on thy way to Devonshire. Speed thee thy report. But see to it, that none know well on thy journey and hasten back with

royal self; and here is something to purchase hospitality on the way,' and Edgar threw him a purse of gold.

The parties to whom we have so unceremoniously introduced our readers, in the preceding conversation, were Edgar, the warlike monarch of England, and Athelwold, his favorite and minister. Edgar was a descendant of the Saxon conquerors whose resistless valor had wrested all pow

er from the hands of the ancient Islanders, and had planted their own standards on nearly every hill of Britain. He had succeeded to the British throne upon the death "Say you so indeed, my Athelwold," of his brother Edwy, A. D. 959. His pubresponded Edgar. "It is long since death ic character was marked by signal energy robbed us of our queen, and we are desir-and success in the administration of affairs, ous of exchanging our present loneliness both in peace and in war; but his private for the companionship of some fair dame. life had been disgraced by the most detestWhat say you to Elfrida, as the futureable crimes. His licentiousness knew no queen of Britain?" and he walked to a bounds, and shortly after the death of his splendid mirror and viewed himself with a first wife, he had basely seduced a young look that seemed to say, "I have a person and beautiful Nun from the obligations of aside from my regal character, not to be virtue and piety; who, after eloping from despised even by this peerless queen of her convent, resided with him as his misbeauty." tress. But the fiery Dunstan, whom Edgar

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"If, my lord," resumed the courtier, had raised to the archbishopric of Canter"dame report hath not lied, and Elfrida bebury, in defiance of his civil power, levelas beautiful as her fame speaketh, she led the whole artillery of the church would be a most proper person to share against him, and by threats of malediction, your majesty's throne and bed, for her fa-he was induced to part with his ill-gotten ther hath a fair estate, and no ungentle mistress. Our story opens shortly after blood runs in the veins of my lord of Dev-this occurred, and about the middle of his onshire. But does my liege think it wise||reign, or a. D. 967.

to express his wish, until he hath ample Agreeably with the request of his masproof that report hath not spoken falsely?' ter, Athelwold attended by a few retain'True! true and wisely spoken!' ex-ers, started for the castle of the earl o

Devonshire. Arriving there, he affected safe return. But hast thou seen the lady to be on a hunting excursion, and profess-of our love?'

ed to call merely to offer his respects to Had the wily courtier been closely his grace and his noble daughter. The fa-watched, the color of his cheeks might vorite of majesty was not likely to meet have been observed to change, and the tone with a repulse, and he was accordingly re- of his voice to falter. He was about to ceived with the utmost courtesy and re-play a deeply deceptive game, and that spect. His astonishment at beholding the game was to be played with a king;—for fair daughter of the duke, was great be-a moment he trembled at his own temerity. yond description To him it appeared that But accustomed to dissemble, he soon her beauty surpassed all that fame had ev-shook off his fears and resumed his wonter trumpeted or ancient harper sung. Her ed self-possession, as he replied. high and lofty brow, her long, dark brown 'It was well, my liege, that your majeshair, her soft blue eyes, her majetsic mien ty sent to gain true knowledge of the peerand musical voice all appeared to him to less Elfrida, else your majesty had taken a be at the very summit of perfection; and queen whose highest claim is her wealth.' ere he had time to guard his heart, it was 'Then she is not beautiful, or art thou gone. The beauty of Elfrida triumphed, over jealous for the honor of our crown?' and the affections of the courtier were led asked Edgar. 'Surely so universal a re

เ

captive at her will. Absorbed in admira- port cannot be wholly false !' tion of her beauty and revelling in the The Earl of Devonshire, my lord,' resunshine of her smiles, he forgot the wish-plied the wily Athelwold, 'hath many fair es of his king, and staid, but to press his estates; these all fall to the husband of Elown suit and to woo the damsel for him- frida, and the beauty of a noble dower self. Being of noble blood and high in fa- hath been added to a damsel of common vor with the king, his advances were ac- worth, and arrayed her in a borrowed cepted, and he departed the betrothed of plumage. Be assured, my liege, that dame Elfrida. report hath lied in proclaiming her the Two weeks had passed and Athelwold greatest beauty of England. She hath had not returned. Edgar was growing im- some charms, it is true; but they are expatient, and he paced his chamber with a celled by many a fair lady of our court.' restless tread, as ever and anon he stopped 'Canst thou describe her to us, Athelto glance from the window at the bridge wold?' asked the prince, evidently disapwhich crossed the moat below. The sun pointed. Describe her if thou canst, for had just sunk to its diurnal resting place, 't is passing strange if a common damsel and the long, lank evening shawows were hath excited so much praise. Why, even casting their gloom across the apartment of our bards sing the beauty of Elfrida!' the king, when a long and loud blast from They, my lord, sing but to please the a war-trumpet announced the return of the fancies of their hearers, but the report of courtier. The clank of the draw-bridge the surpassing beauty of Elfrida is false as as it fell heavily across the bridge next my lord himself would say could he see broke the evening's silence, and then the her.' tramp of horses was heard in the court yard. A short time passed and Athelwold Athelwold!' stood in the presence of his master. 'In person, my lord, she is tall, but her 'Hail, good Athelwold!' exclaimed Ed-proportions are not equal, and she is wantgar, 'the saints have watched over thee on ing in that gracious bearing so essential to thy journey and thou hast returned to us true majesty. Her brow is too large for safe and sound; by the blessed Virgin we beauty, her hair is brown and her eyes will have a score of Ave Marias sung by blue and soft. Her voice is musical and our good monks as a thank-offering for thy pretty-in short, my lord, she is a pretty

เ

'But her description! her description,

damsel like hundreds of our English maid-||pass, and where it rebounds in fearful reens; but her riches have made her the tributions upon his head. He, who sucperfect beauty which common fame proceeds in gaining wealth by treachery, shall claimeth her. There is magic, my lord, never want an envious enemy to discover in riches; they can transform a pretty his deceit and to work his ruin. He may shepherd girl into a Venus; and it is the enjoy his gains for a time, as the silly fish Earl of Devonshire's vast weath that has rejoices in the morsel it nibbles from the thrown so rich a charm around the daugh-bait of the angler, but there is a hook beter; and no wonder, for such estates as yond; upon which he is destined to writhe his make her a very desirable object for in the anguish and bitterness of detection any subject of your majesty.' and disgrace. Thus while the treacherous Enough, Athelwold, we rely upon your Athelwold was secretly rejoicing in fanjudgement and shall seek a queen else-ied security, an enemy was working his where. But what shall be your guerdon destruction. for this new service rendered us?'

At the court of Edgar was a courtier 'Such as my poor services are your named Ethelwolf, who had long envied majesty is welcome to them ; but as it suits the influence and popularity of Athelwold. your generosity to reward your poor sub-He had been a suitor at the feet of Elfrida, jects, perhaps my lord will grant me one and had felt the pang of rejection. He small favor.' knew her beauty to be but fairly praised 'It is yours, Athelwold, if my kingdom by the breath of fame, and he knew too of contains it. Name it boldly and it is yours." Athelwold's treachery; for a page of the My lord, I ask no higher boon than king's bedchamber had revealed the facts your consent to my becoming the wooer of to his knowledge. He had long and imElfrida, and your influence with his grace patiently waited for the moment of revenge. the Duke, that I may gain her hand. That moment had arrived. His enemy 'The hand of Elfrida! By the keys of was married, and had gained his bride by St. Peter, thou fillest us with astonish-treachery to an affectionate and generous

6

Elfrida has riches, my licge and to a For some time Ethelwolf vainly attemptsubject needy as myself, her fair estates led to gain a private interview with Edgar; would be a valuable acquisition, and al-but failing in this, he sent him the followthough she is not handsome enough to ing laconic but expressive note. grace a throne, yet she may grace the May it please your most gracious majesty : humbler home of Athelwold.' Athelwold hath deceived thee. He

‘Aha! aha! I see,' replied Edgar laugh-||spake of Elfrida with contempt to thee that ingly, thou wouldst marry Elfrida's es- he might gain her himself. She is as beautates. Well, thou shalt have them if our tiful as she hath been reported to be. Let' influence can secure the damsel.' his majesty see her, and he will be con

Your majesty's humble servant,
ETHELWOLF.

A few weeks passed and the nuptials of vinced that treachery hath been practised Athelwold and Elfrida were celebrated at by Athelwold. Devonshire castle, and the cunning favorite, by moralizing with his beautiful prize on the profligacy of Edgar's court, prevail- Edgar took no other notice of this epistle ed upon her to defer her visit to court un-than to send for Athelwold. Shortly after, til some distant period. He hoped for the he proposed a wolf hunt in the western marriage of Edgar, when he conceived he counties, and accordingly a most royal parmight present his wife with less danger of ty left Wessex for Devonshire. After sevlusing his master's favor than at the presenteral days hunting, they approached, as if But deception has a climax. A point by mere accident, the residence of the rich beyond which its practised dupe cannot Earl of Devonshire, and then Edgar gal

lantly proposed to visit the wife of his fa-||with lofty look pointed to the latter and vorite. So condescending a request could ambition triumphed.

not be denied; and deeply confused, the Edgar arrived. Elfrida appeared reunfortunate Athelwold begged permission||splendent with beauty and emblazoned to hasten forward to prepare his lady for with jewels. Athelwold's pierced heart her royal guest. Obtaining leave, he start-sank in sadness and sorrow; Edgar's was ed in advance of the noble party. led captive in the bonds of guilty love. It Athelwold sought his wife, and falling was but too apparent that Athelwold had at her feet he looked most beseechingly as lost a wife and a master in one day. In he said:the morning he had arisen the happy hus"Pardon me, dearest Elfrida, for an act, band of the most beautiful woman of her which, although it deprived you of a crown, time and the confidant of a powerful has gained you at least a faithful heart.||prince; at even the wife abhorred him,the When first I visited you, it was at the re-monarch frowned. A striking illustration

quest of king Edgar, who hearing of your of the mutability of human hopes. To-day beauty, desired your hand, and sent me to they flourish like the summer plant; tolearn the truth or falsehood of the report morrow they are chaff careering in the which spoke so fervently of your charms. wild winds of heaven.

I came; your beauty enamored me. I The next day Edgar proposed to continpressed my own suit, and afterwards de-ue the hunt, and peremptorily required the ceived my too indulgent prince. To-day attendance of Athelwold, who now travEdgar visits you. My deception will be elled no longer by his master's side, but far discovered, and my poor life will be the back in the gay troop that followed in his price of my duplicity. You, Elfrida, can train. During the day the unfortunate fasave me. Disguise that ineffable beauty vorite became separated from all the comand confirm my statements to his majesty, pany save two-the fiery Ethelwolf and a and you may save your husband. Display fierce ruffian-like retainer, both of whom those charms in their native loveliness, had by a strong effort kept near him since and his doom is sealed. By our mutual morning. Finding themselves in an obloves, Elfrida, I implore you to conceal scure part of the forest, they threw off all and disguise your charms!' disguise and approaching Athelwold, Ethel

He ceased to speak. Elfrida burst into wolf exclaimed, tears and exclaimed:

'Now proud caitiff, I have thee; the

False Elfrida!' and died.

Then I have lost a crown through thee, smiles of Edgar are no longer thine; die! traitorous Athelwold! Was this thy boast-thou traitor, DIE!' and he plunged his daged love?' And as if recollecting herself, ger deep into his heart, while a diabolical she paused a moment, and then continued, laugh coursed over his pale countenance. But I will meet thy wishes.' With these The retainer followed the blow of his maswords she rushed out of the room, waving ter by plunging his sword deep into the her hand for her husband not to follow. body of the dying man, who as he fell from A mighty conflict now ensued in the his horse muttered, heart of the beautiful wife-a conflict between ambition and love, for she had some The forest leaves became his shroud, love for Athelwold. Should she disguise and the sad winds of autumn as they strayher beauty and save her husband, and thus||ed_mournfully through the forest, sang a sacrifice the proud fame her rare beauty requiem to his departed soul. had acquired, and the honors of a queenly A few weeks passed and the court of diadem; or should she win the heart of Wessex was joyfully engaged in the celeEdgar? These were the questions her bration of the nuptials of a royal pair. Edfickle heart debated. Affection with tear-gar and Elfrida were married. Through ful aspect pointed to the former; ambition blood, the guilty pair had waded their way