what passed between osbert and constance in the

sacristy.

on the king’s departure from the sacristy, as previously narrated, constance immediately released osbert from the ambry, and the unhappy lovers, rushing into each other’s arms, forgot for a short space the perilous position in which they were placed. at last, osbert, partially disengaging himself from the mistress of his heart, exclaimed with bitterness,—

“what have we done that we should suffer thus severely? heaven seems never weary of persecuting us. yet we have committed no fault save that of loving each other.”

“alas!” cried constance, “it would seem that we are never to be united on earth, since we meet only for a moment, to be torn asunder. we must look for happiness beyond the grave.”

“that is but cold comfort, constance,” cried osbert. “i cling to life and hope. i yet hope to make you my bride, and to spend years in your society—happy, happy years, which shall make amends for all the misery we have undergone.”

284“it would indeed be bliss to dwell together as you say,” replied constance; “but fate opposes us, and to struggle against our destiny would be vain. the trials we experience are given us for our benefit, and ought to be borne cheerfully. at this very moment, within a short distance of us, a martyr is purchasing, by a cruel death, a crown of glory and a place in heaven. hark to those cries!” she exclaimed, as shouts were heard without; “perchance he is now bound to the stake. i am thankful to be spared the frightful spectacle, but i can pray for him here.”

and she knelt down on the pavement, and prayed aloud.

while she was thus engaged, osbert glanced anxiously around in search of some means of escape, but could discover none. the sacristy was lighted by two lancet-shaped windows, but they were narrow, and barred outside.

“despair!” he exclaimed, in half-frenzied accents, as his search concluded. “flight is impossible. we are lost.”

but constance’s thoughts were with the martyr in smithfield, and the appalling scene seemed to be passing before her eyes. suddenly she shrieked out, “the fire is kindled. i can see the red reflection of the flames through yonder windows. oh, it is horrible. would i were back with the good cardinal!”

“would you were!” ejaculated osbert. “but i fear you will never behold him more. the king will be here presently, and will require an answer. what will you say to him?”

“say! what shall i say?” cried constance, bewildered.

“ask me not,” rejoined osbert, in a sombre voice. “take this dagger,” he added, placing a poignard in her hand. “conceal it about your person. you may need it.”

“this dagger!” she cried, regarding the weapon. “what am i to do with it?”

“should the worst befall, plunge it in the king’s heart, or your own,” he rejoined.

“i cannot,” she replied, letting the poignard fall upon the pavement. “i will not commit a crime that would doom me to perdition. were i, in a moment of desperation, to do as you suggest, all hope of our reunion in a better world would be over. then, indeed, i should be lost to you for ever.”

“but this inexorable demon will be here anon,” cried 285osbert, picking up the dagger. “the thought drives me mad. would that these strong walls would crack asunder to let us pass, or the floor yawn and swallow us up. anything to avoid him.”

“fresh shouts! more light against yon windows! they are adding fuel to the fire!” cried constance. “’twill be over soon.”

“and then the king will come hither,” said osbert. “are you prepared for him?”

“fully prepared,” she rejoined. “return to your place of concealment, lest he should appear suddenly.”

“no, i will remain here, and brave his anger,” said osbert.

“oh, do not act thus rashly!” she exclaimed. “you can render me no aid, and will only place yourself in needless peril.”

“i have no desire to live. let the tyrant wreak his utmost vengeance upon me if he will. ha! he comes,” he cried, as the key grated in the lock, and the door opened.

it was not the king, however, but rodomont bittern who entered.

“just as i expected!” exclaimed rodomont. “prudence is not to be looked for in a lover. i was certain i should find you talking to your mistress, and therefore i came to warn you that the king will be here directly. back to the ambry at once.”

“no more hiding for me,” returned osbert. “i shall remain where i am.”

“and be sent to the tower, and have your head chopped off for your pains,” observed rodomont. “what service will that do to mistress constance?”

“it will only tend to make me more wretched,” she rejoined. “if you love me,” she added to osbert, “you will not expose yourself to this great danger.”

“there, you cannot resist that!” cried rodomont. “back to the ambry at once,” he continued, pushing him towards it. “and as you value your head, do not stir till the coast is clear.”

“i cannot answer for myself,” remarked osbert, as he got into the cupboard. “a word from the king will bring me forth.”

“then i’ll answer for you,” said rodomont, locking the ambry, and taking away the key. “that’s the only chance of keeping him out of harm’s way. be not cast down, fair mistress,” he added to constance. “the cardinal will protect you.”

“were i with him, i should have no fear,” she replied. “he would shield me against all wrong; but i am now in the king’s power, and he has threatened to deliver me to bishop bonner.”

“and if his majesty should so dispose of you, ’twill be but a brief confinement, for the cardinal will speedily have you back. so be of good cheer. but hist! there is a stir within the church. the dread ceremony is over. i must leave you, or the king will find me here. keep up your courage, i say.”

with this he quitted the chamber, and made fast the door outside.