A Mystery. disfigured by rage, and in a voice, almost unintelligible with passion, he thus addressed his mother: 66 See, madam, howly wise you have acted! how well you have preserved the secret intrusted to you, by divulging the high birth of her, who should have been the last to have heard of it." This Elfrida did not hear, having been drawn to the window, to observe the guards of the palace who were performing their military exercise. 66 My son," said the Duchess of York, mildly addressing him, in a foreign language, "I know not where she has learnt it; never from me; and very few, excepting myself, ever see her. My time has always been employed in those hours I devoted to her educa A Mystery. tion, in checking that pride, which I perceive to be her most predominant foible." "Pardon my haste, madam," said the prince, respectfully bowing on the hand he took in his; " your tongue, the sure herald of truth, never can utter a word that will be discredited by me." A close-covered litter now entered the court yard; and, with many tears and frequent embraces, the duchess took leave of her lovely protegé. "Farewell, my dear protectress, my more than mother," said the weeping Elfrida, "farewell! when shall we meet again? "Oh soon, very soon, I faithfully promise you, my beloved treasure." said the duchess. A Mystery. “A week will not elapse," said Edward, smiling, "my good Lady Abbess, before you will behold my mother at the gate of your convent, looking after her little stray lamb-well, God bless you, Elfrida." "My dear, kind duchess, the only mother I ever knew, has always told me," said Elfrida," that I must love my enemies, and God bless you, sir, though I believe you are mine." "You should say, my liege," said one of the lords in waiting, who stood at the open door, which led to the great "when you speak to the stair case, king." "Never to that king, my lord," said Elfrida, with determined dignity. The Abbess lamented secretly the A Mystery. trust that had been reposed in her. What shall I do, thought she, with this haughty and resolute child? But they had not proceeded half way on their journey, before her pupil had made a deep interest in her bosom, by the sweetness of her manners, the justness of her remarks, so superior to her years, and that candour and benignity, which were so happily blended with innate dignity. Arrived at the interior of the nunnery, Sister Agatha, a talkative though excellent hearted nun, and who enjoyed all the unlimited confidence of her friend, the abbess, cried out, at the sight of the child" Holy Saint Mary! Why, who have you got there? Is it the young Countess de Hainault, risen from the grave? A Mystery. Why, she is as like to her as these two ringlets are to each other," continued she, twisting her fingers in the flowing hair of Elfrida, who looked at the nun with contempt; for her appearance was neither prepossessing nor clean, from the quantity of snuff she constantly took, and said to her, with quickness, drawing away her head, "Do you know who I am?" No, my pretty dear," said Agatha; "But I would venture to lay a good sum, if I had it, that either the Duchess of Burgundy, or the sweet Countess de Hainault was "Peace!" said the abbess; the last words of Sister Agatha having awakened an idea which had not occured to her before. "See that dinner is prepared in the refectory, and attend me afterwards |