unjustly, suspected of having been privy to his flight, suffered the punishment which he had been doomed to undergo. A most diligent search has since been making after him in all parts of the kingdom, but he has eluded his pursuers." "Where is he now?" asked Eleonora. "In this very castle," replied Lady Blunt; "he is one of the supposed strangers who arrived here last night. Godolphin is by marriage my nephew; I cannot therefore but rejoice in his safety, on account of her with whom he is united: but oh! rejoice weakly expresses the delight, the rapture, with which, on your account, on that of Lord Fitzroy, on that of us all, I beheld the existence of one, whom he brings with him-O bless him, Heaven! prosper his restoration to the royal sceptre!" "To the royal sceptre!" echoed Eleonora; "of whom, my dearest Madam, can you be speaking?"enti joy that is about to rush into it,” returned Lady Blunt. "O Eleonora, the royal Edward lives!" 66 "The king!" exclaimed Eleonora; “is it possible that you can mean the king?" "O silence, silence, my dearest child," cried Lady Thomasine; "no ear must hear a breath of this-no heart catch a suspicion of it—yes, yes, it is the king! that king, whose noble heart never shrunk from hailing his father's son by the title of brother-blessings, blessings on his name!" may the interposing hand of Providence stretch itself out to aid the cause of those who struggle to replace him on the throne of England!" exclaimed Eleonora. "In what accents of delight, of praise, of love, have I heard my revered father name this youthful monarch! could he be apprised of his existence-of the possibility of his being restored to his rights, beneath the gentle rule of his sovereignty!-But I interrupt you-you are are going to relate to me the particulars of this apparent miracle.” To this relation Lady Blunt immediately proceeded; but ere we listen to it, it is necessary, for the more clearly comprehending its intricacies, that we should know something of Godolphin, and his adventurous exploits. END OF VOL. II. |