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252, tossed by every wind, destroyed by every shower,—the frailest, and yet most exposed, of created things. Too soon Francesca was forced to awaken to the precarious situation of her lover;—an outlaw, he had yet ventured to the place of all others where he was in the greatest danger, where he was so well known, and which also contained his worst enemies.

"Dearest Evelyn!" exclaimed she, roused by hearing the Castle-clock, heard so distinctly in the calm evening, "How rash to come here! Why did not you write?"

"Write, Francesca, when I could come!" was his reply.

"Alas!" whispered the anxious girl, "it is a dearly purchased pleasure that perils your safety for a moment. Just now, I think can rely upon all being engaged; but, God of Heaven! I dare not think on what a chance may effect! I shall not have one moment's peace till we meet again, and yet tremble to think on the risk of that meeting. But, oh, the King seems so kind—so good-natured, he can never refuse your pardon!"

"I shall have a powerful enemy in the Duke of Buckingham,"—his companion started and reddened; but she had mistaken the cause, for Evelyn continued—"Our estate has been confiscated,