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compounding small quantities of strong smelling drugs.

She

seemed too much occupied to notice Simon, and there was nothing unusual in his coming to her room.

It was here they spoke of the

family affairs that they did not care to discuss before the younger and less attached servants.

"What art doing with all those bottles, Janet ?" he asked, after sitting and watching her for a few minutes.

"Why," said Janet, hesitating, and then putting on a very confidential tone, "I will tell thee. It's best to be prepared for everything, and it does seem as if somebody meant to fight, or we shouldn't see so many soldiers; and, indeed, I myself heard Sir William say that the King must fight now or yield, and that he was not likely to do. If men fight somebody gets hurt, and then medicines and balsams are wanted that can't be mixed up in a hurry. This is a splendid recipe that came from Holland; it was invented by the physician that attended Sir Philip Sidney, and would have cured him without any doubt if it had only been sooner applied." Janet went on to give the history of the discovery of several famous salves and miraculous powders, until Simon exclaimed with a deep sigh," Pity that some wise doctor don't invent a physic to cure sickness of the mind."

Janet looked him full in the face.

"What now? Thee looks as

if thee wanted some such stuff thyself. What is amiss ?"

"Everything goes amiss, I'm thinking," groaned Simon; "and thee may dose Mistress Alice with every drug in thy closet, but it won't make her strong when she reads the letter master got this afternoon from London."

Janet dropped her scales, and knocked over a bottle of precious liquid-of which she took no notice-and came and stood near Simon. "Thee don't say that Master Andrew is dead?"

"Yes; drowned! The ship he sailed in foundered, and every one was lost. Ah! there is master," as a slow, heavy step was heard crossing the hall. "Poor little thing-now, don't, Janet, don't!" for the housekeeper had covered her face with her apron. "It seems like yesterday when thee brought her down here for us to see, so small and pretty it never looked likely that she could grow up and have such a big sorrow to bear. If only our dear lady was alive! Hush, Janet, we must keep brave looks now."

But Simon himself had anything but a brave face when at length he heard his master calling Janet to come quickly. She hastened to obey, and Simon followed with trembling steps.

The Colonel had gone straight to the library, where Alice still constantly sat. She had neither work nor book near her, her hands lay idly together in her lap, and she was listlessly leaning her head against the window pane, with an expression of quiet

patience about her mouth and brows that told bow thoroughly she was learning her hard lesson. She looked up and greeted her father with the smile that never was wanting for him; but the letter in his hand and his constrained manner instantly alarmed her. Rising from her seat, and straightening her small figure resolutely, she inwardly determined to think of her father, and spare him as much as possible.

"I know you have tidings for me, father; may I not see that?" and she held out her hand for the letter. "Or perhaps you will tell me," she added, steadying herself by a chair, and feeling that she had no power to read.

Her father came and folded her in his strong arms, caressing her with unspeakable tenderness.

"Tell me all, father; do not fear. I have you left," whispered Alice.

"My child, my precious Alice, your father is, indeed, all that is left you now. May the Lord help me to comfort !" you

But Alice did not need comfort just then, for she lay senseless in his arms. She was carried to her own room, and it was some days before she read Vane's letter, and knew the supposed fate of her lover.

CHAPTER XXI.-THE SECOND CALL TO SUrrender.

Alice did not die. The human heart seems to have unlimited capacities for enduring pain-that most unfathomable thing in our natures. Our joys we may compass, ecstacy and rapture are shortlived, and we soon experience satiety, for there are so few things that continue to give sensible feelings of pleasure—the "Sweets grown common lose their dear delight.”

In sorrow we feel our immortality: it is a sea that no creature has ever sounded, a country that no one ever quite explored, save One, who knows the length, and breadth, and depth of all agony and woe. It is true that bodily pain, however acute, is soon forgotten, and requires a strong effort of memory and considerable imagination to bring a distinct recollection of it back again; but mental suffering leaves deep scars, wounds that cannot be touched in after years without reviving some portion of the former pain.

But it takes very much to break a young heart, and Alice lived -scarred as deeply as any poor maiden could be; yet she did not turn away from the consolations offered to her, nor did she forget the blessings still left. For several weeks physical weakness and the sudden reaction after such a long season of doubt and apprehension prostrated her, and she lay on her couch helpless as an infant.

The Colonel spent every moment that he could spare from his

duties beside Alice's sick-bed, but he carefully avoided disturbing her mind by referring to the rapid and momentous changes that were taking place abroad, and Alice never asked a question about public matters. But when a month had passed, and still her strength did not appear to return, the physician bade them discuss the most stirring events of the day in her presence. The plan was successful. She was roused up to take an interest in what was happening, and reproached herself for dwelling exclusively on her own sorrow. Slowly and almost imperceptibly at first, she began to regain her strength, to gather up her scattered senses, and waken up her deadened faculties; but it required some actual necessity for exertion before Alice could shake off her dread of returning to ordinary duties, and resuming her old place in the family.

Kate, the most devoted of cousins, was reading to the invalid one morning from the book that Kate had once thought so dull, but which she was learning to appreciate, in Alice's sick chamber. The latter was reclining on a low couch, listening with closed eyes to the mysterious revelations of St. John; and Kate, glancing up and thinking her cousin was asleep, closed the Bible, and sat looking at the weary face that rested on the cushions.

We have never attempted to describe Alice, because, with Marvel, we say that her greatest beauty was something that could not be defined; and Rembrandt, like her poet lover, had felt the same difficulty when he painted her portrait. But with a more delicate touch than usually characterised that artist's work, he had caught and fastened on the canvass something of that subtle charm that all felt, but none could explain. We might say that the artist has left us the picture of a lovely, spiritual face,' with dark blue eyes, with hair of golden brown, and a little, graceful form that lacked no dignity: but what idea would this convey? each reader would see a different Alice Lister, so let our Hull maiden be her own limner.

The window of the chamber looked into High Street, and from the pavement below could be heard the footsteps of the passers-by, and more distinctly still, the quick clatter of horses' feet. Gradually these sounds increased, eager voices were heard, and then the regular march of a company of soldiers through the streets. Alice opened her eyes wide and sat up, intently listening to every sound, while Kate looked out of the casement.

"What is it? Can you hear what the people say, Kate?"

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They are saying something about a ship full of arms that is in the river. The men of your father's company seem to be gathering together. Ah! there goes Ralph; he looked up and smiled, but he is very much excited."

"Is there going to be any fighting, Kate? Is my father going

to fight?" asked Alice, advancing to the window, the colour coming and going in her cheeks.

"I will go and see what it is all about, dear Alice, if you will lie quietly down again," answered Kate.

"No, I will go down with you; I have kept up here too long. Father is afraid to tell me of this, but I will show him that I am a true soldier's daughter. I have heard him say that my mother always fastened on his belt, and no one but her child ought to do it now."

Kate followed her feeble steps downstairs in amazement, and with equal amazement the Colonel saw her enter the parlour.

"Eh! sweetheart, this is an advance;" and he came forward to lead her to a seat, inwardly discomposed that she should find him half-dressed in armour. He had not meant to say anything to her of the intended sortie, but now all must be explained. As briefly as possible he told her that Parliament had received information that a ship called the Providence had been fitted out with arms and ammunition by the Queen, and had set sail from Holland for the northern coast. Several men-of-war had chased, and driven her up the Humber; but as she was a small vessel, she had escaped them by sailing higher up the river into such shallow water that her pursuers were unable to follow her. The captain of the Providence had driven her ashore at Kayingham, on the Holderness coast; and the commander of the disappointed fleet had sent word to Hull, that they might take her by land, and prevent her cargo getting into the King's hands; for it was well known that Charles would have commenced active hostilities some time ago had he possessed the necessary means.

"Why did you not tell me, father, that there was danger near ?" said Alice. "Let me fasten those buckles, Simon. No one ought to help your master put on those pieces but the lady of the house."

Simon gladly gave place to his mistress, pleased beyond measure to see her amongst them again; but the Colonel felt doubly anxious, lest when this sudden excitement was over she would relapse into deeper me lancholy than before. However, he suffered her to have her way, trying to smile cheerfully upon her as she knelt to buckle on his spurs.

"One would think I was a young knight being armed for his first battle," he remarked playfully.

"You are better than that, father. You are a well-tried soldier, in whom men have confidence. What colours will you wear to-day? Those I wrought last year?"

"No, my child; the same I have worn in every engagement, though this is likely to be only a slight skirmish, not worth the

name of a fight." He went to an oaken cabinet and took out a faded embroidered badge, and reverently kissing it handed it to Alice to tie across his breast. His own motto and arms were wrought in tarnished silver in the centre, with the shield of the Gordon family, to which his wife belonged. It had been her gift soon after their betrothal.

The confusion in the streets increased, and could be plainly heard in the parlour, which overlooked the courtyard. There the Colonel's horse, like his master, was being harnessed for the coming fray, and when he heard the roll of drums and caught the shrill bugle note he pricked his ears and shook his head with impatience to be gone. Just as the Colonel was ready Kate's husband and brother burs unceremoniously into the room.

"Tis time we were mounted, uncle," exclaimed Will; but, catching sight of Alice, he stopped short. "By my faith! Why, I did not think to see you here, fair cousin; this is hardly the scene for an invalid methinks."

"I am better now, Cousin Will," replied Alice, whose ashy face belied her words.

As for Ralph he stood speechless, with a choking sensation in his throat. At last he stammered out a few words about the pleasure it was to see her down again.

"I make no doubt we shall soon be back, my Alice, and don't trouble thy dear heart about me while I am gone. Perhaps we shall secure the prize unmolested," said the Colonel, embracing his daughter, with further injunctions to rest and get strong.

Will was taking a loving adieu of his wife, who tried to hide all appearance of uneasiness, though she had a legion of fears for her knight under her satin boddice. "Good bye, coz," said Will, tearing himself away from Kate, and kissing Alice's cheek. away, Ralph. We have no time to lose; " and Ralph, bidding his sister and Alice a hasty farewell, quickly followed him.

"Come

The Colonel led out a strong detachment from the garrison; but the people of Holderness, whom Sir John Hotham had in some way offended, and who, therefore, were determined to oppose and annoy him, had already raised the alarm, and collecting their own and neighbouring train bands, and being joined by the Beverley troops, so well defended the passage to the vessel that it was found impossible to gain access to her without much bloodshed. Mortifying as it was to the Colonel to be defeated in his purpose, he knew that the rulers in Westminster had resolved that they would not be the first to take to the sword, and he never dreamt of questioning their wisdom. The men of Holderness seemed also aware of this resolution, for they used the greatest caution in maintaining the defensive.

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