acknowledged fondness for you, one of a far superior nature than the ordinary."

"I knew not you were acquainted with her," said his companion, rather tremulously.

"I knew of her but little, and that was before I had knowledge of your intimacy with her," answered his friend; and though, from what I saw, I did tremble for your happiness, I could not believe she was so bad as she hath proved herself, till calling upon her father a short time since to make me a doublet, I found him like one that is crazed; and enquiring of the old woman of the house, I learned, to my absolute astonishment, that Joanna had suddenly disappeared, taking with her her things, and gone no one knew where. But the old dame hinted to me that there was very good reason for her taking of herself away; for that, to her certain knowledge, she could not stay in the house much longer without disgracing of herself and her family."

"Lost, misguided creature!" exclaimed Master Francis, with great earnestness; "how hath she fallen from that high opinion in which I once held her. I do assure you, Master Shakspeare, that there was a time, when she shewed to me as noble a heart as ever woman possessed. She did me many kindnesses—many great kindnesses, and I could not but love her, she appeared to me of so loveable a nature. Alack! 'tis a most piteous

thing she should have so changed for the worse. I have been monstrously deceived in her, and never will I put my trust in woman again."

"That is ill said, Master Francis," observed the other, seriously" and I doubt not you will live to unsay it. There cannot be a more gross injustice than the condemning of the whole sex, because one hath been found at fault. Believe me, there is that excellence in woman which exceedeth your conception and mine too. In fact, her extreme goodness, her enduring patience, her wonderful kindness of heart, and the exquisite sweetness of her regard for the one she doth most affect, is a marvel, and will remain a marvel to the end of time."

Soon after this they returned to the dancingroom, where they arrived just in time to see the conclusion of Mistress Alice's coranto with Dr. Bashful, which every one had crowded to see, it was of so amusing a sort. There was the merry Alice, with as serious a face as if she had never laughed in her life, going through the graceful figure of the dance, with the young divine, one with an exceeding grave countenance, and with a habit becoming his profession, who, with his face in a constant blushing, his arms a trembling so they seemed about to drop from his shoulders, and his feet a shuffling along as though they knew not where they should go, tried to get through it as

well as he could. His awkwardness was most ridiculous, and the gravity of his appearance not the less so; and as he occasionally heard the suppressed tittering around him, with a perfect consciousness that he was the object of it, he seemed as if he would gladly have given all he was worth to have been at the bottom of the sea. When it was over, he received the congratulations of his fair partner at the grace with which he had conducted himself, and heard the like praise from other ladies, who helped to carry on the jest, with a sort of hysterical laugh, and stared as though he knew not the parties who spoke ; and making haste to break away from the mischievous circle, he took himself out of the room as fast as he could; but not without first laying of his length on the floor, from stumbling over the feet of an old lady who was sitting down to rest herself.

Supper was served in the great hall, a famous large chamber, with a goodly roof of carved cedar, very lofty, and pleasant to look up to, and the walls hung round with old battleaxes, helmets, bucklers, and swords; and there were tables laid all along, and at the top was a raised dais, at which sat Sir Walter and Dame Elizabeth; and at each side sat the guests, a lady between two gentlemen, the whole length to the salt, which was as gallant a sight as eye could wish to see; and there was brought on every delicacy that could be had, and

wines and liquors of every sort; and all feasted merrily, and the jest went round, and the laugh followed, and there was such a flashing of bright eyes, and such a wagging of beards, as had not been seen there for many a day. It so happened that, when the whole company seemed in the finest of possible humours, Master Shakspeare, after filling of the silver goblet he had before him with choice Muscovadine, stood upon his legs, as if about to say something; and as he was well known of all for the noble creature he was, there was presently such a silence as you might have heard a pin drop.

"Methinks we lack something, my masters," said he, looking round upon the long lines of gallant gentlemen and lovely dames who were gazing upon his admirable countenance with mingled feelings of curiosity and respect. "We have been somewhat amiss in our behaviour. Our worshipful host hath provided us out of his own bountiful nature, with all things necessary for our delight, and with such store of delicates as must have been equally refreshing unto the eye as the palate. Yet, hitherto, have we enjoyed all and said nought. Mayhap, if you give a dog a bone, if he wag not his tongue he shall wag his tail, in token that the kindness be not lost on him; but we have had each thing that heart could desire, and we have wagged nothing but our beards. Of a truth, this seemeth not to be

holding the giver of the feast in proper esteem. Under favour I would say, it hath but an ungrateful look. Another thing-'tis not unknown unto us, that our excellent and most liberal host goeth on the morrow on a dangerous adventure across the wide seas, and far away into foreign lands seeking of great perils, and having such great ends in view as, to those who know not the greatness of his spirit, seem impossible to be achieved; and yet no man hath said to him, 'God speed you!' Among so many brave captains and princely gentlemen, is there not one who hath such proper estimation of the pleasure he hath enjoyed as to be able to speak his thankfulness, or careth so little for him who gave it, as to seem indifferent as to his safety in his dangerous undertaking? I will not think of you so unkindly. I see a different spirit in your looks. Like enough, all are ready to do this proper office, but wait in hopes of one appearing who will express their inclinations after a better fashion than could they of their own accord.

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Gladly will I do this office for you," continued Master Shakspeare, when the applause which followed the close the last sentence, and plainly said it was him the, ished to speak for them, had subsided. "Yet can t I help thinking that there be many of this noble company fitter than a poor player to discourse of the courtesies of so gallant a knight, and to give him God speed in such terms as so brave a commander properly meriteth; but I