sincere and more profitable passion. And in the next place, the queen hath so excessive a vanity, that there be nothing so preposterous told her of the power of her beauty she will not believe. Do but say that I have been the party to blame-and in truth, dear Walter, all the censure should be mine—and assert with a sufficient shew of sincerity that none but her can be mistress of thy affections, and I make no manner of doubt that she would presently take thee into more favour than ever."

"Nay, if ever I say a word in censure of one

who hath shown to me so true a heart shall I be the basest wretch that lives!" exclaimed Sir Water.

"deed I shall think of thee all the better for it," reped she very earnestly. "Of a truth, dear Walter, I can know no true pleasure till I see thee in the possession of such greatness as thy noble heart deserves. For me thou hast sacrificed all thy well-earned honours; and knowing this, it cannot be possible I should feel any easiness of heart till they have been restored to thee. As for me, I am nothing but what thy infinite goodness hath made me; and thou couldst say no censure, however great it might be, that my demerits have not called for. Prythee!-do it, dear

Walter."

"Never!" cried her husband with a very sincere

earnestness. "I will never be brought to say aught of thee but that thou art the kindest, truest, and best of wives, and the very fairest, sweetest, and dearest of women."

"O' my life, thou thinkest a vast deal too kindly of me!" said the affectionate wife, and then putting aside her work, rising from her chair, and taking him by the hand she led him to the cradle, where, resting of her arm fondly upon his shoulder, she did address him with more seriousness, as she pointed to the sleeping child. "Dear Walter ! think of that boy. He is now, as thou seest, as lovely an infant as ever fond mother was blest withal; but when he cometh to riper years what poor hap must be his if he come only to succeed to the ruined fortunes of a disgraced father!-and how can he properly reverence that parent, who, having it in his power by means of a few idle words to gain the restoration of his own honours, and leave them in costly legacy to his child, chose rather to remain in discredit with the world, and to leave his son no better inheritance than the remembrance of his father's misfortunes. See, Walter !-he openeth his little rose-buds of lips, and smileth on thee! He pleads with his mother that thou wilt have more heed of thyself and of him. Now his eyes unclose and look upon thee like glimpses of heaven. Wilt thou deny him? And now he stretcheth forth his little arms to

implore thee to such an act of justice. Canst thou deny him?"

"Indeed, dear Bess," said he, looking fondly upon her. "Thou hast proved thyself so excellent an advocate, that I shall never attempt after this to argue a cause against thee. I will promise thee to use my best endeavours with the queen, but as for saying aught of thy unworthiness, it is a thing of which I am so entirely ignorant, and is a theme for which I have so little inclination, that I do feel assured I should break down in the very smallest attempt. But I must take up this thy admirable little assistant in thy pleading, for in truth, he appeareth as if he would not rest where he is." Thereupon, Sir Walter did take the babe into his arms and fondle him, and toss him up, in the which the little fellow seemed to find huge delight; for he crowed and clapped his hands famously; whilst Dame Elizabeth stood close by watching of the two as if she knew not which she loved the best.

"I'faith, the rogue seems to like it, methinks!" exclaimed Sir Walter, as he kept throwing the child up in his arms; and it was difficult to say which seemed the most gratified of the two.

"Like it? to be sure he likes it, Walter," replied his beautiful wife. "And when he careth not to be caressed and dandled by so good a father, 'tis like enough I shall fall out with him."

"What; canst talk of falling out with so handsome a babe?" asked Raleigh, seemingly in some astonishment, and gazing upon the smiling infant as he held it before him, added, "There are its mother's eyes, of a surety!"

Nay, Walter," said she with an exceeding affectionate smile. "If he be not every bit of him like thee, then am I but an indifferent judge of a resemblance."

"Out on thee for a flatterer," exclaimed her husband playfully.

"Well, if thou wilt not acknowledge what all be ready to swear to, it be so manifest, thou shalt have none of him," replied the devoted woman, coming as if to take him "So hand him over to me,

I prythee."

away.

"Be assured I will do nothing of the kind," said Sir Walter, as he caught the child close to his breast. "He is mine, I have him, and will keep him. Get thee gone, good woman, thou hast had nothing to do with him; and therefore art not at all a proper creature to trust him with.”

"Oh, shame on thee, for saying so," answered Dame Elizabeth laughingly." But I must have him, Walter-his mouth is on the silver buttons of thy doublet, and he will put thee in a most woeful slobber."

"Better to spoil my doublet than lose my boy!" cried he; and then sportively made off with him

as if he would give him up on no account, whilst his beautiful wife kept following them round the room with her arms stretched out, begging to have the child. Presently, the little fellow spying of his mother, put out his arms likewise, and soon after cried to be taken.

"'Tis nothing else but a conspiracy;" observed Sir Walter, as he gave the boy into his mother's arms. "He assists thee in everything. I like not being opposed to so unnatural a combination; so I will to my books again." Then he returned to his chair, and Dame Elizabeth did go to her's with the infant in her arms, who was soon very quietly enjoying of himself after such a fashion as seemed to be wonderfully pleasant to him. This continued for some short time, when Sir Walter Raleigh looked up and said :—

"Hast seen anything of Stephen?”

"He hath been here this morning," replied his wife," with a letter from Alice, who writes me in a most merry vein, as if for the enlivening of my spirits. I have it here, if thou wilt read it." And then she offered to him the letter.

"If there be no secret matter unlawful for husband to look into, I should like, infinitely, to see what the merry wench hath to say for herself," observed Sir Walter, as he took the letter into his hand.

"I can never have any secrets from thee, dear