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"I doubt 'twill be the best recommendation to the I have been able to shew this many a queen day," added Sir Walter.

"I do think, myself, it cometh most opportunely," observed his devoted wife. "It hath put to flight all my foolish fears, and methinks, I can allow myself now to hope that all will soon be well. We will then be so happy-so very happy, won't we, dear Walter ?"

"Ay, dearest, without a doubt," he replied. "Open, in the queen's name!" shouted out the voice of one who beat the door rudely.

"Ah!" screamed Dame Elizabeth, starting from the fond embrace of her husband, and trembling in every limb.

"Hush, Bess, 'tis nothing," said Sir Walter in an encouraging tone, and went to open the door. "Ha, Sir George Carew, right welcome!" he added, as he noticed who it was that had disturbed them; and then one of a military appearance, and somewhat serious countenance, walked into the room with his rapier drawn.

"I am sorry that I am come of so unwelcome an errand," said he. “But I have the queen's commandment to arrest you, Sir Walter Raleigh, and you, Mistress Elizabeth, and convey you prisoners to the Tower."

"Ah, I was afraid of this-I have ruined thee,"

exclaimed Dame Elizabeth in a piteous accent, as she fell sobbing upon his shoulder.

"Bess!" cried Sir Walter in a grave voice, as he lifted her from him, and looked reprovingly in her face. "Remember, that thou art my wife!"

No sooner had these words been spoke than the beautiful woman, as if with a sudden effort to conquer her feelings, cast back her head proudly; and walking with a truly majestic carriage up to Sir George Carew, said in a firm voice, "I am ready, Sir."

CHAPTER XIII.

Other sins only speak, murder shrieks out.
The elements of water moisten the earth,
But blood flies upwards and bedews the heavens.
WEBSTER.

This yellow slave

Will knit and break religions; bless the accursed;
Make the hoar leprosy adored! place thieves,
And give them title, knee, and approbation,
With senators on the bench.

SHAKSPEARE.

There is the murderer, for ever stabbed-
Yet can he never die.

FORD.

THE miser of St. Mary Axe sat in a worm-eaten arm chair, in a narrow chamber, of comfortless and mean appearance, before a table on which were sundry parcels wrapt up in dirty bits of rag, and a pair of small scales; and he was engaged in counting out a store of gold pieces from an old stocking. His face looked somewhat sickly, and his eyes yellowish; and his hands shook much as he handled his treasures. There was a window in the room, but it was so covered with dirt, and the broken panes so pasted over with parchment, that it gave only sufficient light to discern the squalidness and

VOL. I.

filth of the place, one or two broken chairs, a rickety table, some bundles of papers covered with dust, a great chest, with a padlock, that stood open behind him, and himself-the owner of all. Beside his usual dress, which never varied, he had on his spectacles, with which he carefully scrutinised every coin, and weighed some; now and then giving quick suspicious glances around the room, and starting fearfully at every little noise. It is not to be supposed that he held his peace, for he did talk continually, as if for company; and on divers subjects, much at the same time, like unto one whose mind wandereth somewhat.

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Forty-nine-fifty," said he, closely examining the last piece he had taken from the stocking. "Methinks this be exceeding light. It hath been clipped, doubtless. Mayhap it hath been in the hands of some vile Jew? No matter-it must with the rest. Alack! how my head do ache! Fiftyone-fifty-two. What a dolt have I been to drink so much of his villainous ale, knowing that it doth ever get into my pate! Fifty-three-fifty-four. That Geoffrey Sarsnet be a most ungodly varlethe liketh not the hundredth psalm! Fifty-fivefifty-six. Ha! this hath a crack in it, sure enough. And that he be a knave there can be no question, seeing how he entertained my proposal of marrying Joanna; and doth allow her to retain the many

costly things she hath tricked me of. Fifty

-this

be rather of a dull colour. Certes, I have had a good escape of that seductive Jezabel. Fifty-sevenfifty-eight. But she hath most shamefully cozened me. I am glad I am quit of her. Fifty-ninehere be as clean a face as if 'twas fresh from the mint. Oh, that I could make her give up that which she hath robbed me of! Sixt- Ha!what noise be that!"

The old miser looked about him very earnestly, and listened in a great tremble-for some sort of noise was heard.

"It be the wind, doubtless," continued he, "for it doth at times make great disturbances. Sixtyone-sixty-two. I marvel what hath become of my pestilent nephew; but I am hugely delighted that he hath taken himself off. I did think he had robbed me, knowing he be a most dishonest caitiff

-as instance the excellent candle ends he stole of me; but I have searched, and missed nothing. Sixty-three-surely this piece be not good—it hath such a marvellous copper look with it. If any one were to give him a knock on his knave's pate now, then should I be rid of all fear. But it be the right weight to a hair. Sixty-four-sixty-five. He hath been monstrously urgent concerning of his father, yet hath he got nothing of the truth from me, for all his blustering. Sixy-six. "Twould be most un

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