rather than slumber, by the echo of some remote voice which fancy continually told me I knew; but it always died away ere memory could assign it an owner; and though my fertile brain exhausted possibility, the dawning day realized no other objects than those dreary ones my chamber presented. The bats and owls began to retire to their haunts in my neighbourhood, and the short visit of the rising sun only shewed me the narrow limits of a dark and dismal room. By this time both mind and body were alike exhausted, and a mist appeared to envelop my senses, which still recall a thousand fleeting forms, by turns surrounding me till fatigue threw me into a deep sleep.

It was at length interrupted by a maid who brought me breakfast, and a message from her lord-" that if I would inform him what was wanting to my comfort and accommodation, his orders should immediately supply it." I cast my eyes expressively around, and bid her tell him in one word-"every thing." The woman seemed affected: I snatched the fortunate mo

ment, and putting my purse into her hand, asked in return only to know the fate of lord Leicester and my sister. I learnt, to my inexpressible relief, both had, by some incomprehensible means, again escaped, and that lord Burleigh's generous daughter was confined as their abettor A hasty summons to the maid left me once more -alone; but the news she had communicated, and the idea that the amiable Rose might hereafter be alike ready to relieve my distresses, gave a new turn to my spirits, which now gathered courage to retrace the past, and look into the future.

Although unable to comprehend what the urgent motives could be, which impelled lord Leicester and my sister to so precipitate a flight, every thing implied that they were desperate; for that it was sudden and without preparation, their intention of taking shelter in the Recess strongly indicated; and whenever I recollected the dangerous situation of Matilda, I shared with her that compassion self is but too apt to engross. Was there a spot of St. Vincent's Abbey, however gloomy, which

did not call to my mind some instance of that integrity, affection, and nobility of heart, which distinguished my Matilda? and could I remember these, yet doubt, that by whatever chance I was deserted," your will could have no share in it? lieve me, my sister, the first prayers I addressed to Heaven in my prison were for your safety.

Be

When time and solitude restored me reason enough coolly to consider my own state, I saw no immediate danger it could teem with. Though a victim to the fears of Elizabeth, and the policy of lord Burleigh, I had not yet learnt to consider them as mere murderers; and if they were not so, imprisonment was the only evil I could have to apprehend; nay, even that might perhaps be short, as it was undoubtedly both illegal and unjust. Malice itself could affix on me no other crime than that of being daughter to the queen of Scots-a fatal truth which Elizabeth would gladly forget, but surely never publish. Could I resolve therefore to endure with patience the punishment so unworthily imposed on

me, I might in time emerge unsullied to distinction. I called upon the example of her who gave me being to support my drooping spirits, and should perhaps have vied with her in fortitude, but that one cherished grief wound round my aching heart, and often wrung forth its dearest drops. Essex, the most beloved of mankind-that faithful lover, whose ardent prayers, whose generous proposals I had obstinately resisted, when his irritated mind seemed daringly to lift the veil of futurity, and pierce through those complicated dangers which followed our parting -ah! what should guard him, when my loss was discovered, from giving way to his injured and exasperated affection? If fortune should even separate him and lord Leices→ ter, how could I be certain that Elizabeth herself would be safe from his reproaches? and who was ever safe from her vengeance when once thus desperately awakened? The premature fate of my much-honoured father, the noble Norfolk, returned upon my memory; the Tower, the dismal Tower, scaffolds, axes, a bleeding lover, and a

broken heart, daily passed in long array before me, and peopled the solitude to which I was so unjustly condemned.

The decency with which I was attended and served, proved that both Elizabeth and her minister had still terms to keep with me; but the servant who had ventured a reply was impeached by those who waited without the door, and my purse being found upon her, no doubt became a sufficient proof of guilt. Certainly I saw her no more; and the women deputed in her place, were either too guarded or too ignorant to inform me on any subject, had I left myself money to try their fidelity.

I had once been so accustomed to seclusion, that it would soon have lost its horrors had my misfortunes rested here; resolved, however, not to augment them by vain and fruitless repining, I demanded such books as might strengthen and amuse my mind; thus opposing the wisdom of ages to the pangs of the moment. By sharing a part of my food with the birds which inhabited the overhanging trees, I drew round me some mute associates, who, more grateful