CHAPTER XI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume v, Issue 232, 12 October 1877, Page 5

CHAPTER XI.

n^ i - love of Ood Ls in s" our heart » you can easily understand that to suffer for uoa 13 an enjoyment to which nil the pleasures of the world cannot even be compared. i assure you there are not in all Balamanca chains or irons enough to prevent me from y^j£rjMMST^g>Sw! n Who<3e honour I wear thls which * ppears t0 Condemned to death ! Oh, word of exceeding dread— word that the sick heart of the criminal can hardly realise, even while he shudders with horror ! Death ! not to the life almost ebbed out by sickness, but to those through whose veins the free blood courses, and who feel within them the vigour and energy of strength. In Walter's case, the strong constitution of the De Lisles had triumphed over the sufferings of prison, and health was fast returning. His hands were the greatest sufferers ; the right wrist was totally dislocated, and he could only with great difficulty use the left. On his return to prison from court, he was placed in a larger and more commodious cell, in which there were a bedstead, table, and chairs, and writing materials were furnished to him by the jailor. One mark of severity was still retained, by replacing the irons on his legs,— they could not attempt to put them on the arms already so tortured. v "i^ ay - f nßy> my Artnur >" exclaimed Walter, as the former entered his cell with a face expressive of deep affliction, " not thus must you enter the ' bridegroom's chamber.' Bring to me no sad looks, no sighs and tears. Is it not what I have desired ?— was it not humbly hoping for this end that, by thy good aid, I landed on the Essex coast? " •* But for 8O Btort » time," answered Arthur. " for so few months, —if thou hadst laboured for years ;— but to be cut off in thy youth, ere men knew what is in thee " " God's time is best, my friend," said Walter ; " and surely it was hot long that my dear father in Christ, Edmund Campian, was per■hitted to labour, and yet who left behind so bright a witness I Dear friend and father," continued Walter, looking up, " shall I soon see thee again, and thy face, on which Heaven shed its light even on earth, radiant in the vision of Jesus ? Ah, Arthur, would thou couldst have seen Mm ! " " Yes, he must have been wonderful when even the queen's curiosity was raised to do so." " Was it ? I never heard that."' j°k 8 '" said Arthur - "From the Tower, when almost rent asunder with the racking, he was taken before her ; she wanted to see the man, she said, who, having made Europe ring with his name, could spurn every hope of life to die a felon's death ; and she looked on him and saw one who trembled not at her frown, nor fawned for her smile. Verily it must have been a new sight for her highness." " M ay his prayers win for her light and repentance," said Walter. "Now my Arthur, I must trust to thee to let the faithful know lam about to die, and entreat their prayers for me in the last conflict ; and, Arthur, dost think it is possible to find a priest who in charity could come to me, now Father Paterson is in Bridewell ? I think there must be another in London, since my imprisonment hath been knoivn," " I will try," answered Arthur. "If one can be found, I will convoy him hither." " How much have Ito thank thee for, my true friend ! " said Walter. "My poor prayers for you will be heard at last, and a reward shall fall on you for your generous devotion." Arthur did not reply, but going towards the bed on which Walter was lying, he knelt down by the side and bid his face in his hands. <, ttt'i , ifc s0 in very truth 7 " said Walter, in a tone thrilling with joy. Wilt thou indeed choose Christ and His Cross for thy portion ? "

" Yes, father," he answered, with tears, " the ' almost' is gone. I cast in my lot with Christ for aye. Hear my confession, father, and give me to drink of the waters of eternal life." Towards evening in the same day, Walter lay down to sleep. During the day the cell had been thronged with visitors. The French ambassador came to express his deep sorrow that his intercession for the life of Father de Lisle had proved unavailing, and that it was evident Walter was the object of bitter hatred to some one at court. Many other Catholics came to make their confessions to Walter, and to have his last counsel and blessing ; and none ever forgot those words ef sweetness and strength. It was remarked afterwards, that none of those who had seen Walter in ' his last hours ever fell away from the faith. While Walter slept, another stranger entered the cell ; he trod softly, and going up to the bed, bent over the sleeper, and as he gazed, the tears gathered in his eyes. • " Is it possible 1 " he whispered to himself,—" Is this the boy I saw last at the wrestling-match in th« college grounds at Rheims, when every eye was on him because of "bis manly beauty, and the wonderful strength he displayed, and which had been concealed in his slight lithe form ? " Walter's lips moved, and he spoke in his dream, " Not as I, but as Thou ; " and in another moment he awoke, and looked up in his visitor's face. Then came a wondering look of half recognition. "Is it you, Basil?" " Yes, answered his friend, It is Basil Travers.*' Walter was silent for a minute, from deep emotion. " I fell asleep praying that if it were His will, a priest might bt sent to me, and in answer you come. Verily my cup runneth over with consolation." On the morning of the following day, Walter waa again alone, when the door opened, and the jailor ushered in two ladies closely veiled. They came forward, and kneeling, entreated the priest's blessing. " I can hardly raise my hand to give it to you my daughters," he answered smiling " but I will essay my best : • The God of all might strengthen you, and give you courage to serve Him unto the end.' " One of the visitors now threw back her veil, and Walter recognised Rose Ford. " Ah, my child, como to bid me farewell. Nay, weep not, there is no cause for sorrow ; rather thank God for me. Is your companioa also known to me ? " " She desires to remain disguised," replied Rose ; and I, Father, come hither with a message from my mistress. She hath made great exertions to procure your pardon, but the difficulties have been many j at last, however, she has (succeeded, and the queen pardons you. " • ' A shade of deep disappointment passed over Walter's face, and he said in a low tone as to himself, " I am not worthy ; as Thou wiliest in all things." Then turning again to Rose he said — " Thank the Duchess for me, Rose, for her charity. A pardon I did not expect nor desire. Nevertheless, a longer life will be an opportunity of serving God longer, and making myself more fit to see Him hereafter. Let her not deem me ungracious, Rose ; but thou as a Catholic canst understand, that to snatch water from the thirsty is leas painful than to call back to life's hard battle the soul that longs to be with God." " But there aTe conditions to this pardon,'' said Rose, " Ha ! of what nature, I pray you ? " " You must give up exercising all priestly functions, and reside as a simple gentleman either here or abroad ;— -if here, concealing your faith as far as possible." Walter's face was radiant again. " Most happy conditions ? " he said, " since they permit me law* fully to refuse this pardon. And, my child, when you thank the Duchess, as you must do for me, most gratefully, for her zeal in procuring that for me which I cannot accept, try and make her understand how low, how utterly worthless would be the life that is offered on such terms. Forswear my priesthood ! forswear God's greatest, noblest, gift to man 1 Does not the soldier die for his glory ? Does not the king die for his crown ? Does not even the merchant die for his Bold f And why should w? be backward, the soldiers of the Cross, the co-heirs of the kingdom, the stewards of the treasure house ? Tell her, Rose, that the only wisdom is to love Christ, and the only folly to despise Him. Tell her that the longest life without a care, the fairest vision of youth perfectly fulfilled is not to be compared for one mom«.ns to the joy of the prison aud the rack, and the looking forward to Tyborne. I choose this last of my own free will, a thousand times, and she, when she comes .to die will feel, too, the truth of my words. Oh! that ere that day comes upon her, she may have learned to know the nothingness of earth, the greatness of eternity ; and may hate leame4 to dare all things to win Christ," There was a short pause, and both his auditors were weeping. " I have a favour to ask of the Duchess, Rose ; it is that she will do what she can to comfort and help after my death, the Lady Beauville. I hear her life has been spared, thanks to God ; she is yet unconscious ; but when she recovers she will need comfort. Ask your mistress to do what she can for her ; and now I must bid you farewell, my children. Yet stay," and he took from his vest a small and wellworn rosary. " Carry this to the Duchess as my last gift ; it is the rosary of the Seven Dolours of Mary. It has its value, for it belonged to my dear mother, who often* bathed it in her tears ; it hath been a consolation likewise to me. It may seem a strange present to the noble and prosperous lady ; nevertheless, when dolour comes upon her, as it does one day to all the children of the earth, the thought of what the heart of Mary, pierced with that sharp sword, endured, may comfort her. God bless you, my children, and fill you with his benedictions, I beseech your charitable prayers for me." Rose dropped her veil, and drawing the , arm of her companion within her own, they passed from the cell through the long passages into the free air. The lady clung to Rose's arm, and her frame trembled with convulsive sobs. When they reached home, Conßtance (for it is easy to penetrate her disguise) went to her own room and remained alone for many hours.