CHAPTER V.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 214, 1 June 1877, Page 5

CHAPTER V.

" She was a vision of delight, When first she burst upon my sight."— WonUwovlh. Lord BeauvilliE began to grow impatient of his long stay at Castle de Lisle, and neither Walter nor Isabel was surprised when he informed them it was his intention they should both accompany him to his house of Apswell Court, situated some thirty mile 3 from London. " You must remember that you are my wards, by the queen'a command," said the Earl — information which both heard in silence. Preparations for departure began to be made. Walter was really glad, he was weary of the gloom and painful associations of his home ; and as he was not to be master, he felt it preferable to submit to the Earl elsewhere than in his ancestral castle. Father Gerard's last advice had been to submit in patience, at least for a while, and Walter strove to curb the impulses of his fiery nature. The squire of Lord Beauville, who was to hold Castle de Lisle in safftty, -was also charged to receive the rents. This was a fearful blow to the faithful tenantry, Catholic to a man, and many resolved to give up their farms. Among these was Master Ford; for he clearly foresaw that the number of fine 3 which he would be liable to for non-attendance at the Protestant worship at the parish church, and from which, under the new government of the estates, he could find no protection, would soon ruin him; and he deemed it wisest to employ the little money he possessed in starting in some new occupation, whose obscurity should form his protection, and where he could sometimes enjoy the consolations of his faith ; and so with his wife and family, which consisted of two sons besides his daughter Eose, he resolved to go to London. Eo3e knew that her father's circumstances would be greatly impoverished by the change, and she bethought herself of offering to go as servingmaiden to some lady of rank; and having obtained her father's consent, she sought Isabel, to ask her advice how best to set about finding a situation. She found Mistress de Lisle sitting listlessly, as was her wont, over her embroidery, and talcing not the slightest interest in the efforts of Sachet and Miry to carry away from the castle all the little articles of her own or her mother's which they imagined would be a comfort to her. When Rose told her errand, Isabel was roused; she grew indignant at the thought of the sufferings of the tenantry, and at length she bade .Rose wait for hei*, and quitted the apartment ; and great tvus the astonishment of the Earl when he heard that Mistress de Lisle craved an interview with him. She came, she said in her stateliest manner, to make a request : could she be allowed to take with her two serving-women ? " Well, Mistress Isabel," answered the Earl, " it is an attendance beyond your rank ; and I fear me our gracious queen, who hears things wondrous quickly, would mislike it." Isabel coloured with offended pride. "It is not for assumption of higher rank that I ask it, my lord, but I can never suffer Rachel, my mother's attendant, to leave me, and I would fain take under my protection the daughter of our trusty tenant, Master Fori ; it is necessary she should seek service, and for early friendship's sake (she was my playmate), I would have taken her with me also." "Then let her go with you, by all means," said the Eirl. " My sister, Lady Anne, will, I warrant me, speedily find her a service with some lady of her acquaintance, and she can be under your protection meanwhile. I would I could pleasure you further, fair Isabel." But Isabel was in no mood for soft speeches; and without deigning to thank Lord Beauville for the part of her request granted, she withdrew. TTnlike Castle de Lisle, Apswell Court bore every mark of a wealthy owner; around it were spread none of the hills and wooded valleys among which the former proudly stood, but the flat pastureland bore signs of luxuriance, herds of red deer gambolled in the park, an array of noble chargers filled the stable, numerous retainers were seen in every direction. There was no doubt the sun of fortune was shining here. A large party of riders have arrived at the stately portico, and at the foot of the long flight of marble steps which lead into the grand entrance-hall. " Welcome to Apswell Court, fair Isabel," said the Eirl ; " I will suffer no other hand than mine owu to place you within its walls. Be assured," he continued, in a lower tone, " all that can be done to supply what you have lost will be offered you." Isabel bent her head, her only acknowledgment of a speech she deemed an insult; and with a cold and haughty air she ascended the steps and advanced into the entrance-hall. There stood two ladies ready to receive her ; Lady Anne Beauville, an elderly and formal-looking dame, advanced slowly towards her, and ere she had reached her (for Isabel stood on the threshold), the paih was intercepted, and Isabel felt herself embraced and her face warmly kissed by two rosy lips ; and then releasing her not from her grasp, but looking full into her couutenance, Isabel beheld a face whose witchery few could withstand. The hazel eyes laughed with glee, and in a voice of silver sweetness the owner of them said — " Welcome, dear Isabel; I am so glad you are come, — 30 very glad." " Lady Constance," said Lady Anne, severely, " you strangely forget yourself in your father's hall. What must Mistress de Lisle think of you ?"