me too, Flanders would have been my quarry, but as it is, he's safe, for I've no time to spare in thinking on him.... Well, Jeanne! what should I change my plan, and promise to remain with thee. The people love me. I could lead them far! Thou know'st not what high courage I am in, dear Jeanne. Philip hath given a fillip to my thought. Why, I do see a diadem almost within my grasp. It were, methinks, a little thing to overrun this land, and snatch it quite! What say'st thou, love—wouldst like to be a queen ?-How now, Jeanne," he continued, starting with terror, as he at that moment looked at her. "What aileth thee, my love?my best-beloved-thou lookest pale-art faint? Seat thee there, my dearest," he continued, taking her up in his arms, and gently laying her on the couch.

"I feel better now, Robert-but it doth fear me sadly thus to hear thee talk. Why, what hath turned thy brain in this sad guise? What didst say of diadems? Sure thou wouldst not use the public love to such bad purpose, as to stir the people up against their sovereign; and

to bring ruin on themselves-aye, and on us too!"

"Ay! but I will, Jeanne! There is nought I will not undertake for justice. If I may have it for the asking, so!-if not, I'll snatch it. Give me justice, no lamb can be more tame or gentle than myself; but, if refused it-then is there no Demon more ferocious."

"Oh Robert, Robert! thou dost rend my very heart in twain. Hast thou not ever found in me a good and faithful wife, tender, kind, affectionate.-A nurse to thee in sickness, and a companion in health,-sorrowing with thee in sorrow, rejoicing in thy gladness, loving thee always. Hast thou not found all this?"

"My love! Oh my beloved," said Robert, falling on his knees, and burying his face within her lap, whilst she laid her hands upon his head. "Thinkest thou 'tis for myself alone-for mine own vile, wretched self, I grieve.-No, 'tis for thee-'tis for my boy-'tis for-Oh! Jeanne! Jeanne! how can I ever bear to think thou art allied to one who passeth for-—

"Is not this enough to crush a firmer heart than mine?"

66

Nay, Robert, but none of these will ever happen.-Fear it not.-Truth will make her way.'Tis but a trial sent to prove thy faith in Heaven, who will not fail thee, so that thou fail'st not to thyself."

"Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!" Robert replied, looking up.-" The only Heaven which I reck of, is in thine eyes, Jeanne.-There is gentleness, benevolence, truth, and love.-I find them no part else throughout the world, and therefore look not for them from the hands of Him who formed the world."

"Hush, hush, Robert-hush, in pity,hush!"she replied, hastily placing her hand upon his lips." Those words will rise to Heaven and appear against thee.-Have not I had my share of evil too?-Is it a little thing to see for ever grieving him I love?-Is it a little thing to see him flouted by my brother thus?-Is it," she added, hiding her cheek within her hands, and weeping" Is it a small matter to have lost our child?-Oh! Robert! I have had my share of

grief, believe me; yet do I never weary Heaven with such unrighteous murmurings."

Robert arose, and pressing her to his bosom, kissed the tears from off her cheek.

"Oh! Jeanne! thy brother's conduct, and that of others at the Council, fitted me for deeds above the thought of common men;-but thou, thou and thy tears, nigh turn me from my purpose."

"Heaven be praised!" thought Jeanne to herself, and her heart smiled again, as she saw his mood becoming more gentle.- Robert continued,

"Out on the slaves!-No one of them, except the good old Abbot of St. Bertin-and the Count Otho, as I am told-who is indeed a noble creature, did dare to say one manly word in my defence. Their craven lips were sealed.-They spoke, indeed, some of them—at least, they seemed to wish 't should thus be thought-in my support.-But how?-not with that show of warmth which love makes visible."

"Thou art with thine ancient error still, though I so oft have chided it, and strived to drive it

from thee, Robert.-Thou dost expect to find like good in men, as may be met in Angels; as great strength in a pigmy as in a giant.-Because thou wouldst thyself have sided with the oppressed against injustice, thou thinkest all others needs must do the same; or else be bad as Devils!-What now, if thou,-sith Heaven hath given thee mighty power of nerve, shouldst,— 'cause thyself canst do it,-bid a henchman or a groom to lift from off its hinge yon massy portal, and then swing it 'cross the court,—wouldst thou, he failing in this order, beat him?-Have I not always told thee of this folly, Robert?— Thou ever didst expect to find in man, the good thou feelest within thyself, which finding not, in sooth thou takest him into hatred?"

"Hatred! Jeanne, hatred! I hate mankind! I do not hate mankind.-What maketh thee say this?"

"No, no," said she, smiling, to think that she had changed the current of his thoughts-"Thou wouldst ne'er honour it so far; better for thee hadst thou so for that they might perchance have pardoned. Thou hast despised it only."