Fdmund crossed Ms arms won Ms breasi and was soon lost in a reverie, which Father Morris was

caretoi no! io
interrupt, nut which was broken by Me approach ot Trevors, Ms lordship's aide-de-camp and
secretary. "What do you
waM?" askedlordFdmund sternly. "I came to seen your lordsMp. 1 feared you were unwell, as
Imissedyour lordsMp
irom Me party." "You missedme!" repeatedlordFdmund bitterly. "_You_ missed me! and dM no
one else discover my
absence? Was it so marked mat my servant could observe it, and ye! no one else?" "Did no! me
Queen inquire tor lord
Fdmund?" asked Fattier Morrts. "I did no! bear her Majesty," replied Trevors. "How was sbe
engaged? what was site
doing?" demanded lord Fdmund. "Sbe was sitting, talking to Prince Ferdinand, my lord." lord
Fdmund gnashed Ms
teem together, grinding mem with fury, and rushed back to me bouse wilhoul speaking, whilst
Trevors followed at an
bumble distance. "Hebastt," criedFattier Morrts trtumpbaMiy-"be bas it, and he is mine tor
ever."Several days elapsed
irom tMs periodbefore Fivira attain saw loidFdmimd. Sbe was smprtsed at Ms absence; as
indeedbe was so interwoven
in her schemes and plans, that nothing went on well without him. "Witt your Majesty have me
goodness to affix me royal
seal to tMs ordinance?" askedlord Gustavus one morning. "Idon't know," replied Fivira. "I can't
tai wba! to do. I wish
lord Fdmund were here." "He may soon be sod tor," said lord Gustavus pompously. "Though,
with mt due deference io
your Majesty's better judgment, it does no! appear to me mat bis presence is exactly requisite,
"lord Fdmund, however,
was summoned, and be came. Bui oh! bow changed since Fivira bad seen Mm Iasi! His lace
looked pale and thin, Ms
cheeks were sunken, and his eyes hollow and heavy, whilst his deep voice sotmded hoarse and
umtaltwal. Passion bad
passed through Ms soul, and withered as it went. FIvira's heart smote her as she gazed upon him.
"You have beat ill,
Fdmund!" said sbe, in tones ot melting soilness. "Why was I no! informed? Surely you coMd no!
think I would willingly
neglect you? (ou/d you judge so ttarsbiy otme?" me tirm breast otFdmundsottenedas sbe spoke,
and terns swam in Ms
eyes as be struggled to reply with calmness-yes, tears; the brave, the warlike Fdmund, whose
strength ot mind and
firmness bad resisted unequalled dangers, now trembled before a woman. "You must have some
advice," continued
Fivira. "Hr. (o/eman, Hr. Hardman, can you not prescribe for your patient?" "His lordship
appears ieverish," said Hr.
(o/eman. "ko doubt he has rested itt." "Yes-yes," rejoined Br. Hardman, with a malignant smile.
"His lordship's eyes
betray his want oi rest" "I have been slightly indisposed," said lord Fdmund, rallying his spirits to
speak: "bid I am
nations have iallen vanquished, shrink like a coward irom Iheiirsllrouhlelhal assails me! Oh, no!
I will no! be so weak;
opposition shall only animate my coinage. Treasures would be scarcely worth acceptance ii they
toy beneath one's ieet-
a brave man spurns an easy victory! I will exert my powers, and Fivira snail be mine. "Fattier
Morris was ai the levee,
and be watched with anxious eyes Me ttuctuattons in Fdmimd's expressive cowttenance.
"Perdition seize her beamy!"
muttered be; "with one took she undoes whole months oi labour. Bui he shah yei he mine-theops
has sworn he shall,-
and Hosabetta shall be Queen. Be me Mummy mortal or iiend, be is resistless; be has
unboundedpower over tbe human
heart, and what he wills must he accomplished. "Some weeks elapsed, durtog which lord
Fdmund, restored to bis iormer