and goodness could emanate; as if no evil expression dare ever to contaminate, or pass over such purity. And when she spoke, it was in so sweet a voice, that the beholder forgot the level lines of pearly teeth which those opening roses revealed, and felt only a strange music playing about his heart-a deep sinking of gentle sounds, that went thrilling through every sense, and which, even if breathed over the couch of the dying, would almost make the sufferer forget his pangs, and fancy that he heard the music of heaven. She looked as if sovereignty was seated in her countenance. Her eyes were also so exquisitely soft and piercing, that their very colour was obscured by their brightness; they beamed with a clear, but indescribable light-tender and holy, and star-like, as if such orbs were only made to open and light up so angelic a countenance. Her sweetly pencilled brows spanned in beautiful arches beneath her clear and ample forehead, like two bending and dark veins figured in the purest marble, as if in contrast to its

surpassing whiteness, while her fine Grecian nose gave a rich and sculpture-like finish to her features, as if the face of a youthful Venus had infused its likeness into that of the Virginmother watching over the sleeping God-child. Her light bright hair was parted Madonnawise in front; and on it rested the starred border of her head-dress, like a rim of daisies behind rose a silver band, studded with pearls, and was surmounted by another tire of becoming ornament, where the coif terminated in a loose screed which fell gracefully behind her head. Her long hair hung loose down her back, and sometimes the wind tossed it to and fro in playful and pleasing forms, like pendant flowers sporting in the breeze. Her slender and delicate neck was also encircled by two rows of costly pearls, at the front of which was suspended a rich jewel, but they seemed rather to receive beauty than give it to the silver column around which they were hung. Hers was a countenance, in short, for which a man might own himself blessed if but

allowed to kiss the empty air through which it had passed. Her gait also was most graceful, giving a thousand pleasing and undulating forms to her drapery as she moved along, and revealing the beautiful symmetry of her figure; while her small feet peeped out from time to time as if to look up at her sweet face, but were repulsed by the envious kirtle. Her boddice, which was of costly material, fitted tight to her well-formed body; and threw its deep crimson over the full outline of her bosom. She held a book open in her fair small hand, and sometimes her eyes threw their light upon its pages; then she paused to gaze upon the river, or pointed out to her companion the beautiful forms which the blue and silver of the sky had assumed.

Such, and even more lovely was the Lady Jane Grey, whom we must now bring before our readers. Her attendant was also young and good-looking, but the eye scarcely rested upon her while she was in presence of her noble mistress.

"And so thou hast a dislike to the noble Duke, my gentle Amy?" said the Lady Jane to her attendant, resuming their conversation: "And yet thou knowest that we are taught to love our enemies, and methinks he hath never shown himself any other than friendly to both But surely thou lovest his son, Guild

of us.

ford ?"

"Not so well as the Lord Wardour," replied the attendant, who stood on the most familiar terms with her noble lady, and loved her above aught on earth. "Were I your ladyship, and was left to the freedom of my own choice, I should prefer him to Lord Dudley. And yet," added she, with a sigh, "I would rather that he followed our own faith. As to Northumberland, I cannot like him if I would. Pardon me, lady; but I like not those long closettings which he holds with your noble parents. And rumour says that he played a foul game with the Duke of Somerset. I dare not talk thus to any other than yourself."

"My dear gossip," said the lady, laying her

hand on Amy's shoulder, "thou must learn to think more charitably of mankind; the sun still shines on brightly behind the dark cloud, even when to our eyes his glorious rays are obscured. All human actions spring from some motive or another. When the dagger of Brutus struck the heart of Cæsar in the senate, (evil although the deed was,) the high-souled Roman believed it to be a necessary act—a crime which his country needed; but had the heart of Brutus been a sharer in our holy faith, he would have left his punishment to God. And yet," added she, musing, "the divine Plato was a heathen; and where lives there a Christian whose virtues outnumber his? But I am wandering. You spoke of Lord Wardour, Amy! I should respect him the less if he could change his faith for the sake of me. Religion is not like a garment, which may be taken up and worn or laid aside at pleasure; it is the only raiment the soul wears-the only covering that we can stand in before our Creator-the mantle that, if once sincerely put on, must be worn