Page:Monthly scrap book, for March.pdf/9

 SCRAP BOOK. 9

THE NUPTIALS;

A tale of the Olden Time. (For the Monthly Serap Book.)

Vile Traitor, yield that Lady up! And quick his sword he drew; The stranger turned in sudden rage, And at Sir Bertram flew. The Hermit of Hakesworth.

"Tell me not so: I deem it unwise for the daugh- ter of Sir Christopher Walshingham--the pride of English Chivalry, to give her fair hand to a base churl. Maiden, it is not beseeming our order that I should hear more. It shall not be said that the Abbot of St. Cuthberts, debased the glory of the Holy Church by aiding the union of English knighthood with Scottish peasantry."

Thus spoke the Abbot of St. Cuthberts, in a warm tone, to the daughter of Sir Christopher Walshingbanm; and as he turned with great agi- tation into a recess of the church, she threw her- self into an attitude of supplication, and exclaimed:--

" Trust me, my Lord Abbot, I debase not the glory of my ancestors by refusing the hand of one for whom I could never feel one throb of affection. Lord Marlowe brings no claim with him for the affections of Gertrude Walslingham, but brutal force and feudal tyranny. For, as sure as that bright moon lightens up this fair earth, so sure are his motives base and dishonourable. I beseech thee, father, by all the Saints,---by Him whom you profess to worship, that you betray me