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"Joanna!" exclaimed the youth, hastening delightedly to her side, "I am here at thy desire, and truly to mine own most infinite gratification. But what aileth thee?" he inquired suddenly, in a tone of affectionate interest, as he noticed that the pleasurableness expressed in his own features was not reflected in hers. At the question, she looked at him as with a careful scrutiny of his pale and thoughtful brow, but said never a word.

friend, Harry Daring, was apprenticed, | severity in the loveliness of her countehe at last made for one that was a mer- nance, tempered with a very touching cer's, where the owner, a somewhat lusty melancholy. old man with a lively roguish look, and an excellent jolly face, stood recommending to a customer sundry ells of threepiled velvet that lay before him, whom, seeing engaged, he stopped not to gossip with, but went on, as if it was his wont, to a little room at the back, where finding no one, he opened a door, and proceeded up a little flight of stairs close upon it, at the top of which there was another door, whereat, with his heart in a greater flutter than ever, he did knock gently with his knuckles; and hearing a voice, the soft tones of which he recognised with a most infinite delight, he uncovered and entered the room.

The chamber was rather low, and of a no great size, having a wainscot and floor of oak, with rafters very solid, running across the ceiling, and a window stretching out into the street. The furniture was substantial rather than elegant -such as might be seen in the houses of the better sort of citizens-yet was there a considerable show of taste in many things, which spoke as plain as could any words, that a woman's graceful hand had had the ordering of them. There was no one therein but Joanna, who sat, or rather reclined, in an ample chair with arms, supporting her head by her hand; she wore an elegant dress of watchet color, laced down the front, with a girdle of silver baudekin, at the which was a little pocket on one side. Her silken hair was artfully disposed, falling in a love-lock on her delicate shoulder, and bound at the top in a network caul of gold. Her well-shaped feet, were cased in a pair of dainty white stockings and velvet slippers, projecting out of her petticoat, with the heel of one resting upon the instep of the other, to the manifest disclosure of a most exquisite ankle. In this position, the welldefined outline of the ripened beauties of her figure were seen to great advantage, especially as the low, tight boddice then in the fashion, did excellently well display the full bust, and truly admirable neck and shoulder, the delicateness where of have I not the cunning to describe, therefore will I leave it to the imagination of the courteous reader. She had evidently been a thinking; but whether pleasurable or otherwise, I have no means of knowing except this be taken as a sign, that when Master Francis first beheld her at that time, there was a

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"Have I angered thee?" he asked, in in a more subdued voice; and his gaze became as melancholy as her own. lieve me I meant it not. would rather die than anger thee."

BeIn truth, I

"No!" replied she to his question, with impressive tones and eloquent emphasis. "Thou hast not angered me." And then the severity of her look much abating, added, with great stress on the words, "Thou hast never angered me."

"Indeed, I hope not," said Master Francis earnestly. "But who or what hath made thee look so unhappy?"

"Thou hast," she answered.

"I!" exclaimed the youth with extreme surprise and sorrow. "What a wretch am I to have done it! and yet I know not how it could be; for gratitude for thy never-tiring kindness doth prompt me at all times to do the very reverse. Tell me how it was, and instantly will I seek to undo the unsought-for mischief."

Joanna silently took from the little pocket at her girdle a paper that she gave into his hands-the which he instantly opened, designing to read it, as such seemed to him to be her wish; but to his exceeding astonishment he discovered it to be the very poem he had written and lost from off the desk in his uncle's office. He stood like one that is detected in wrong-doing, unable to say aught for himself; yet, though he saw that his expostulation had done him mischief, knew he not what offence there could be in it.

"What made thee think I had ceased to love thee?" asked she, in a voice by no means angry, after she had watched for a sufficient time, his downcast eyes and modest confusion of countenance, as he stood before her.

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It seemed to me that thou dost regard another," replied Master Francis, tremulously.

"Whom?" inquired Joanna, with

more earnestness, fixing on him a some-derful goodness, hast thou exhibited tow. what anxious and penetrating look.

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Ralph Goshawk," answered he. She remained silent for some few seconds, but a faint smile might have been observed about the corners of her beautiful mouth.

"In truth, I marvel thou couldst have entertained such a conception," said she at last.

"Dost thou not love him indeed?" asked the youth, almost incredulously, as it were.

"Indeed, I love him not," she replied. "And dost regard me as kindly as thou wert used?" he inquired more urgently, raising his eloquent eyes to her

own.

"Methinks quite as kindly," answered

she.

"Dear, dear Joanna!" exclaimed Master Francis as he kneeled on one knee, and taking in his the disengaged hand that lay upon her lap, bowed his head till his lips rested thereon, and in that position remained. The melancholy expression of Joanna's countenance still was altered not; but there was now a tender interest in her dark eyes as she gazed upon her youthful lover. Presently she raised herself in her position, and took his hand in both hers, very affectionately.

ard me-the like of which surely was never known! Truly I must have behaved most unnaturally to have vexed thee in this manner; and I'll never forgive myself, if thou wilt not forgive me.” And then, most sorrowful in heart, he hid his face upon her lap.

"I have forgiven thee," said she, affectionately twining her fingers in the light curls of his chestnut hair; "but take not such fancies into thy head again; be content with the assurances thou art continually receiving of how much I regard thee, and think nothing of whatever else may seem of a different tendency. Nothing can be so sure as that, whilst thou art worthy, thou wilt be beloved." Master Francis was too much enraptured to reply; and in this position they remained for some minutes-she bending over him, with her dark hazel eyes softened into tenderness; and he impressed so deeply with the subduing spirit of the moment, that he would not, or cared not to move from where he was.

Joanna having at last taken away her hands to enclasp his, he raised his head, and looking into her face, very fondly, yet with a touch of regret, said-" But why hast thou denied me those most sweet caresses thou didst use to grant?"

"Truly I am not in the mood on all "Yet am I much hurt that thou occasions," replied she, in rather a sad shouldst doubt me," said she; "I thought tone of voice; "there are remembrances I had proved beyond question, how much I can not obliterate when I would, that I regarded thee above all others—perhaps come upon me at times, and make me with more carelessness than did become regardless of all except the discomfort me. But knowing the innocency of mine they bring. It would be but a mockery intentions, and trusting in the modesty to caress thee under such circumstances; of thy disposition, I was content. Alack! and indeed, though I may often seem gay'tis a sad world! we can not do right hearted-forgetting for a time the unwhen we wish; and when we are satis- pleasantness of the past, in the enjoyfied of our conduct, there cometh some ments of the present-yet, when awakenmalicious tongue to slander our doings. ed to recollection-which is no difficult None know the wickedness that exists-matter-there lives not a creature on this that poisons the air we breathe with a earth so truly wretched as am I. Be conperpetual pestilence, and obliges us to tent then with the pleasure I can grant do by craft what we can not do by honesty. when I may be in the humor, and seek not, I have to endure many things that make when the time is not auspicious, to increase me unhappy-very unhappy-I needed my disquietude by ill-timed importunity." not such verses as thou hast written."

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"I will not," replied he; "but wilt thou do so ever again?" he asked, as if almost afraid to put the question.

"I will," she answered, with apparent unaffectedness.

"Dear Joanna, but wilt thou do so soon?" he inquired, more impressively. "I will," said she.

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Exquisite Joanna! but wilt thou do so now?" he asked, with still greater emphasis.

It would be unveiling the sweet mysteries of affection, to describe the endearments that blessed the reconciliation of these devoted lovers. There throbbeth not a heart in the wide world, that hath been touched by the generous influence of true love, but hath played its part in the same drama, and can, from the fond prompting of the memory, imagine the entrancing scene more vividly than could I describe the acting of it. Methinks, too, that the development of those delicious influences that make humanity angelic, should be kept sacred from the vulgar eye; else might the selfish and the profligate find matter in it for idle speculation, or licentious conjecture. Pity it is that there should be any in whom the better part of their natures hath vanished, Eke the sap of a decaying tree, and vanity raaking them believe all to be like unto themselves, in the green freshness of fairer plants, they can see naught but their own hollowness and worthlessness. I know that, by the generous and truehearted, what I should relate would be rightly interpreted; but no writer is so fortunate as to meet with all readers of such a sort.

The affection which existed between Joanna and Master Francis, had in it this peculiar feature, that the former had so much the seniority of her lover, it invested her with an evident controlling power over him. She appeared as though uniting in her behavior the authority of a careful guardian with the fondness of a devoted woman, and sometimes it appeared as if some strange interest bound her to the youth, of so deep a tenderness, as was marvellously like unto that of a parent. In truth, it was a strange thing to behold a creature so exquisitely fashioned, having much the outward appearance of one existing only for, and in the enjoyment of the most passionate worship of the opposite sex, seeming, with a delicacy the purest nature could never have excelled, so virtuously to conduct herself, as proved all the sterling excellence of womanhood was manifest in her actions; while the enamored youth that knelt before her, dumb with excess of modesty, and overpowered with the intensity of his admiration, regarded her with such an enthusiasm in his delighted gaze, tempered with so profound a respect, as plainly showed he loved with the purity of heart, and earnestness of purpose, which belong only to that age and disposition that exist in the enjoyment of a perfect innocency.

"Dear heart," exclaimed he, after a long, yet very eloquent silence, "it seemeth to me exceeding strange that when I sit me down to write of thee, all admirable thoughts, like the bees hastening to the sweet blossoms, come crowding to be penned; but when with my lips I would essay to breathe into thine ear aught of what rare pleasure I experience from the continual influence of thy unbounded goodness, such words as I have at command are so little to the purpose, that I am forced to a seeming ungrateful silence; yet am I most gratefully bound to thee. Thou art my guardian angel, and in earnest truth, most exquisite Joanna, my heart ever yearneth to pour out its spirit in thanksgiving for thy unceasing kindness."

He received no reply, unless it was conveyed in a more evident pressure of the hands she held clasped in her own, or in a softer and more thrilling glance from the clear hazel of her lustrous eyes. He continued

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My benefactress! my"

"Hush!" she exclaimed, quickly interrupting him. "Have I not told thee never to allude to what I have done for thy good?"

He remained silent, as if conscious he had committed an error.

"And now, prythee, tell me how hast thou sped with thy tragedy?" she inquired.

"It will not do, dear Joanna," he replied.

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"Despair not thou wilt do better anon," she said, in an encouraging tone. 4 "But methinks I have found a friend," added Master Francis, more cheerfully. "I am truly glad on't," said she.

"Hast heard of Master Shakspearewhose plays so wonderfully do delight the town?" inquired the youth.

"Indeed have I," she replied. "My father hath often promised to take me to see the players do a play of his, but he liketh the sports of the Bear Garden best, therefore I have not been."

"I should like to take thee mightily," observed he. "For it is most delectable entertainment. But I must tell theeMaster Shakspeare, to whom I was directed to send my tragedy, though he did tell me very candidly of its faults, expressed himself right glad to do me a service; and as earnest of his sincerity, he hath but now sent for me to the playhouse."

"Speed thee, then, Francis," she exclaimed, rising from her seat and raising

him from the ground. "It be not right | day. In this mood he arrived at the play

of thee to lose the precious time when such a friend desireth to serve thee. But here," she added, as she took from around her neck the very gold chain she did receive of old Gregory Vellum, and threw it over her youthful lover. "Wear that for my sake-but let not thine uncle see it, or mayhap he may think thou hadst it not honestly, and question thee churlishly upon it; and I do not wish thee to say I gave it thee, nor do desire that thou shouldst say what is not true. And let me again request of thee in true kindness, that when thou wantest aught that his miserly nature doth refuse, ask it of me, and thou shalt have it straight."

"Nay, dear Joanna," he replied, looking somewhat distressed. "Thou hast lavished upon me so many gifts already, that I am ashamed to accept of this, or to ask of thee anything; and, if thou wilt not be offended, I would sooner that thou shouldst continue to wear it. In truth, it is too good a thing for me to have."

"That it can not be," answered she, regarding him with a more perceptible fondness. "I would have thee wear it beneath thy doublet, and affix it to the miniature of thy mother. Now, no excuses! I will not hear of them. And be sure let me know when thou dost lack anything."

"Oh, thou art too kind!" exclaimed the youth, with all the expression that love and gratitude could give.

"Now haste thee to Master Shakspeare," said Joanna.

"Dare I ask of thee once again, to let me taste of those honey sweet delights thou didst bestow on me a brief while since," inquired he, looking into her eyes, as if his own were drawn thereunto by some marvellous magic. How she answered, methinks it be scarce necessary to state, when it cometh to be known, that in the next moment Master Francis was speeding on his uncle's errand with a heart as light as if he had not a care in the world.

Having delivered the account-more courteously than his miserly kinsman designed, he posted off to the playhouse on the Bankside, sometimes imagining what Master Shakspeare did want with him, and thereupon building many monstrous fine castles in the air, and then turning his thoughts to the contemplation of the exquisite excellences of Joanna, and feeding his mind with dreams of happiness she was to realize at some not-far-distant

house, which he recognised by the flag flying at the top. It was thronged with people-some waiting to see the queen, and others the play; round about were boys and serving men holding horses, and here and there might be seen costardmongers and others bawling out fruit. Making for a little door at which there was no crowd, he was entering thereat, when he was stopped by a surly looking fellow with a wooden leg and a red nose. Well, how now! what dost want?" he cried in a gruff voice.

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"I am come to see Master Shakspeare," replied the youth.

"Won't do," said the other sharply, as he took up a position before him, as if to stop his proceeding further, and then scrutinized his appearance very closely. "The players be all a dressing, and can't be disturbed for every jackanapes that wants to see the play for nothing."

"But I have business with him," added Master Francis.

"Won't do," repeated the fellow, stumping closer to him, and looking more forbiddingly. "Dost thou not know that this be no hour for him to see runaway apprentices who seek to be players? So get thee gone."

"But he hath sent for me, and I must see him," said the youth more determinedly.

"Won't do, I tell thee!" shouted the man. "Nay, if thou dost not take thyself off, I'll set the dog on thee. Here, Pincher! Pincher! Pincher!" And immediately a savage-looking wiry-haired terrier came from under a chair barking and snapping at his heels. Master Francis, seeing that there was no remedy, was just about to turn back with a heavy heart, when, who should come into the place but the same wide-mouthed, squintingeyed boy that had brought him the letter, bearing a tankard in his hand, as if he had come from a neighboring tavern. Gib seemed to understand the state of the case immediately.

"How now, Will Peppercorn!" he cried, in a voice that showed that the name of Stentor was not ill-applied. "This good youth is he whom I told thee Master Shakspeare did so much desire to see.'

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"How should I know that?" said the fellow sulkily; then drawing off his dog, returned to his chair.

"Follow me, and I will show you the way with a very absolute good will," added the call-boy; but before Master Fran.

cis had got but a few yards he turned round and inquired, "Why said you not you were my friend? He would not have dared serve thee so. But we must

needs learn ere we get knowledge-so come on, and carefully." Master Francis found himself in a very dark place in which he could see neither to the right, nor to the left, nor yet straight on; and was directed solely by the voice of his companion, which ceased not a moment. Stick to the women, I pray you,' he continued, "and you must needs be made a man of soon: but mind the thunder there!"

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Master Francis looked about, expecting to find a pool of water near him; but nothing of the kind did he see.

"Now turn you sharp round the walls of Athens, and keep you on the left of Prospero's cell," said the other.

Unable quite to comprehend his meaning, the youth made a turn as he was desired, found his feet caught-laid hold of he knew not what, that his elbow struck against-this gave way, and down he came on his face upon something that seemed like a heap of canvas, bringing over him a pile of the same kind.

"There now!" exclaimed the call-boy, in a tone of apparent vexation-" you have tumbled smack upon the sea, and brought down upon you the palace of

Antioch."

The second, he to more perfection grows;
I' the third he is a man, and doth begin
To mature vice, and act the deeds of sin;
I' the fourth declines; i' the fifth diseases clog
And trouble him: then Death's his epilogue.
SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

ALL the players were assembled in a large room of rather mean appearance, having little furniture, save settles, some few chairs, an old table, on which lay sundry tankards and drinking vessels, and a long mirror hung up against the wainscot. The players were dressed in character for the play of Henry the Fourth, the second part; and divers young noblemen and gentlemen were among them. Some were sitting, some standing in groups, and others walking up and down

going out and coming in at intervals; while a voice, evidently from its loudness belonging to the "Stentor" of the company, kept bawling from without as the play proceeded-"Falstaff, on!" or "Shallow and Silence, on!" or "The Prince, on!" and then, others knowing that their turn would be next, got themselves ready to appear upon the stage. A merrier set there seemed not in all her majesty's dominions. It was evident that care had naught to do with such choice spiritsfor the quick jest and the harmless jibe went round, and the loud laughter followed with them all; nor did there seem to be any distinction of rank among them and their associates; or if such might be, it was without doubt in favor of the players, for they appeared wonderfully independent and careless of what they said.

Master Shakspeare stood in one corner of the room pointing out to Master Francis the different persons around them; and occasionally returning the friendly salutation of the young gallants who came thronging in, and looked as if they were mightily well pleased to have speech of him; but none could have received more satisfaction than did the modest Master Francis soon extricated himself youth at his side, for to him it was quite from the fallen scenery, and without any a new world. He, who had seen nothing more mishaps was conducted by his guide of society save the customers and associto the chamber in which Master Shak-ates of the scrivener, now found himself speare was waiting for him.

Frightful as this announcement might seem, it did not mean any great mischief after all.

CHAPTER VII.

Man's life's a tragedy: his mother's womb
From which he enters is his tiring-room;
This spacious earth the theatre, and the stage
That country which he lives in; Passions, Rage,
Folly, and Vice, are actors: the first cry

The prologue to th' ensuing tragedy.

The former act consisteth in dumo shows;

among the most famous authors and players of the time, with a fair sprinkling of noble lords, distinguished knights, and honorable gentlemen. He listened with exceeding attention to every word that was uttered by his gifted companion, and regarded each individual that his attention was drawn unto with an interest scarcely possible to be conceived.

s "See you that most worshipful-looking personage talking to Taylor and Condell?" inquired Master Shakspeare of

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