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mission from the moon, on which the prettiest dress sits awkwardly, but which generally issue forth clothed in but a shabby rhyming garb. With this expectation, a well-founded prejudice, we opened the soldier's knapsack, and were not deceived; as a soldier's knapsack should, it contains some very hard crusts, at which we nibbled, but in vain; and other plain fare besides, but all this was concealed under a heap of luxuries. An Oriental beauty, tempered with a simple delicacy, that is in others too frequently deficient, is Calder Campbell's muse: she is a fair creature, that glories in all the beauties of the East, without its attendant languor, educated (none can doubt) in England,--for where else could she have learnt her smile of peace, and tranquil homely happiness? We recommend our readers to get the book, and find how well the lady sings, pitying any one that thinks of failure while she gives her rich voice a free and unrestricted license. Listen:

IDLE WORDS.

"The strongest love hath yet, at times,
A weakness in its power;

And latent sickness often sends

The madness of an hour.
To her I loved, in bitterness
I said a cruel thing;-

Ah me! how much of misery
From idle words may spring!

"I loved her then-I love her still;
But there was in my blood
A growing fever that did give
Its frenzy to my mood;

I sneered because another's sneers
Had power my heart to wring;—
Ah me! how much of misery
From idle words may spring!

"And when, with tears of wonder, she
Looked up into my face,

I coldly turned away mine eyes,
Avoiding her embrace;
Idly I spake of idle doubts,

And many an idler thing:-
Ah me! how much of misery
From idle words may spring!

""Twas over soon the cause-not soon
The sad effects passed by ;
They rule me 'neath the summer sun,
And 'neath the winter's sky!
I sought forgiveness; she forgave,
But kept the lurking sting;-
Ah me! how much of misery
From idle words may spring!

"Month after month, year after year,
I strove to win again

The heart an idle word had lost,

But strove, alas! in vain.

Oh! ye who love, beware lest thorns
Across Love's path ye fling;

Ye little know what misery
From idle words may spring."

THE

KING'S COLLEGE MAGAZINE.

MAY, 1842.

ELLERTON CASTLE;

A Romance.

BY "FITZROY PIKE.”

CHAPTER THE TWENTY-SEVENTH.

MAT MAYBIRD RENEWS A PLEASANT ACQUAINTANCE, AND IS HONOURED BY

A CONFIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT.

THROUGH the not unimportant events to be recorded in the present chapter, we shall hurry rapidly, in order that we may arrive the more speedily at its successors.

By the advice of Father Francis it was thought expedient that Edward should visit Bruton at London, in order to consult with him concerning the line of conduct in future to be adopted towards the conspirators, and the means to be taken for the purpose of ending the persecution. Mat Maybird of course volunteered his companionship, and the journey was completed without more delay.

The advice of Bruton could lead only to defence. Bound by his vow to spare Sir Richard Ellerton from shame, such effective measures as might, in another case, have been adopted, were of no avail. It still remained to parry all attacks, trusting to the will of Heaven for a final solution of the difficulty. Edward would have placed Kate under his patron's care; this Bruton thought an unwise step; as he was watched, she could not avoid discovery, and the hostility would be redoubled; but under the roof of Father Francis it was not likely they would seek her a second time. It was judged expedient that Edward and Mat Maybird should remain a short time in London, as a blind to their enemies, who

would then be less likely to seek Kate within the village. Such was the substance of the results arrived at after the conference with Bruton. Edward learned also that Simon Byre, the swarthy turnkey of the Tower, had been dismissed, threatening vengeance against him, and vowing retribution to the uttermost, for the loss he had sustained.

On the morning after their arrival in London, Mat Maybird very kindly volunteered to show Heringford over the town.

"But, most talented Sir," said Edward, "since thou knowest nothing of metropolitan geography, how wilt thou find thy way?" "By instinct," replied Mat; "instinct, the same power that urges an insect to travel in unknown regions, and yet return safely to its home, shall lead me back, at the hour of dinner, to the spot where that meal is to be obtained."

Upon this understanding they set out on their expedition. They had crossed London Bridge, and were passing by the store-houses of Thames-street, Mat making his observations on things in general with the air of a dictator, when suddenly, in a by no means dictator-like haste, he darted rapidly from Edward's side, dived down a court, and disappeared. Heringford imagined this to be some new freak; and, after vainly endeavouring to find his companion, continued his walk alone.

Mat Maybird, in the meanwhile, having passed speedily through one court and down another, and as his breath was failing, succeeded in grasping the cloak of a young lady, and tapping her on the shoulder: turning round, she presented the face of a perfect stranger, and Mat, with humble apologies for error, stood back discomfited.

"No," said he, "that is the wrong one, but I am certain it was she I saw. Fool that I am, I must have passed her and pursued another! I may meet her as I return." In this belief Mat was correct, for as he returned he did meet-Annette de Vermont !

"Master Maybird!" exclaimed she, "out of breath too in pursuit of a lady!"

"It was thee I followed, Mademoiselle, and most stupidly transferred my eyes to another person.-But, Mademoiselle Annette in London!"

"My father," explained Annette," was taken prisoner at Azincour: Esther and I followed, with many others similarly bereft, and are here to attend upon him."

"He is in the Tower?"

"Even there; where every comfort is provided-except his liberty. I am on the way thither."

"I will accompany thee," said Mat. Annette silently assented, and the two proceeded together. Mat Maybird inquired after Esther.

"She is very ill," replied Annette; "I fear my poor aunt is dying. Hast thou heard aught of Sir Richard Ellerton ?"

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'Nothing worthy of repetition," replied Mat Maybird; “for I would not give thee pain."

"I am glad, very glad to have found thee," said Annette; "for Sir Edward Heringford cannot be far off, and he may be able to procure my father's release.”

"And art thou not glad to find me, for mine own sake?" asked Mat. Annette smiled, and would have returned a merry answer, but her heart failed, and a tear rose to her bright eye:-"We are very desolate here in London," sighed the poor girl.

"Not now, Annette," said Mat Maybird, warmly; "I will bring thee to Heringford, who will be thy friend, and Bruton thou shalt learn to know; and I-O Mademoiselle, it will wound my heart if thou speakest of being desolate while I stand by."

We know not why the eyes of Annette de Vermont should brighten at Mat's speech, and her wonted elasticity of spirits should return; we can but record the fact. "Thou holdest thyself to be excellent company!" said she.

"By thy merry eyes," replied Mat, "thou darest not gainsay that thou think'st so!"

"Bring not mine eyes into thy speech, Master Maybird; thou art treading dangerous ground. Beware the quicksand!"

"I like to tread it," replied Mat; "'tis soft to walk upon." "Treacherous," replied Annette, "very treacherous. But thou hast told me thy home was Ellerton. Why in London now?"

"Fate, Mademoiselle," replied Mat; "Fate brought me to London that I might meet with Annette de Vermont. By the bloom on thy cheek I am much indebted to the good lady!"

"How often shall I caution thee not to drag my face into thy speech? Mat, thou art a grievous offender!"

"What!" said Mat Maybird; "the Indian savage gazes upon the fair works of Nature, admires and talks of them, and swears by them. I am neither Indian nor savage; may not I enjoy an equal right?"

"I put no faith in thy superiority," replied Annette; “wert

better than a savage, I should hear compliments less lame and common-place."

"Lame and common-place!" cried Mat; "hear her, Venus and Cupid-hear her, all ye Muses! With what shall we be satisfied if your choicest phrases are to her lame and common-place? Nature's beauty, Mademoiselle! Only think of Nature's beauty and Indian savages! Surely a speech with such an index of contents ought to satisfy the most unreasonable demands!"

"Unreasonable demands, in good sooth," said Annette, "that can thus be satisfied!"

Conversation such as this soon annihilated the distance to the Tower, and they were ushered into the rooms occupied by De Vermont. As Annette had said, confinement was his only hardship, so far, at least, as his public misfortune was concerned,— for his apartment was conveniently furnished, and he himself provided with every necessary, permission being accorded to his friends to visit him at all times. The only friends he knew were his sister and his daughter; when, therefore, he saw Mat Maybird enter, his countenance brightened with delight.

"We are a little family," said he, after the first greetings were over, "and deemed ourselves friendless in this strange land. Annette, poor child, has been very dull; but I see by her face thou hast brought all her spirits back again. She looks as roguish as if she were still in France."

Esther was in the room, and Mat was struck by the great alteration in her appearance; always pale and thin, she appeared now as a moving corpse, and when Mat took her hand, on entering, it was cold and heavy. Poor Esther! since that last sudden stroke, at which fell the weak hopes she still so fondly cherished,—the hour that tore aside the veil which concealed the bitterest of her afflictions, and displayed the man she loved and trusted as a cold and cruel stranger,-gradually, since that hour, had the dust crumbled around her soul, and the poison of that sting had worked, alas! how surely!

Sadly by her brother's side, stood Sir Richard's broken-hearted wife; a tear responded to Annette's cheerful greeting, and, as she parted from the forehead of her merry niece the dark clustering hair, she gazed fondly into her bright eyes, with a sigh at the thought that would not be suppressed,-Such was I also !

Having introduced the family of the De Vermonts, we will not now linger over events of minor consequence, while others more

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