PENDENNIS CASTLE. 171 



Madam, but a craft has just rounded the headland, where she has 

 been cruising for this hour past. v " That, then, is the Madeline 

 assuredly thank thee boy, I will not forget thy suit and may 

 you both be happier than I have been. " 



They had now arrived at the postern of the castle, the drawbridge 

 was instantly lowered, and as the little jennet curvetted into the 

 fortress, the Queen bowed gracefully to the heroic Arundel and 

 the chosen band of Cornishmen who had mounted guard to receive 

 her. She then thanked the assembled Cavaliers for their ardent 

 devotion to the royal cause, for the honour they had won for the 

 west by their steady adherence to the waning fortunes of the house 

 of Stuart, and for their personal services to herself during her re- 

 sidence among them. The impassioned tone in which she spoke, 

 and the intense feeling which she displayed at each recurrence to 

 her own recent calamities, would have moved the sternest heart; 

 and when she pleaded the truth of the cause for which they were 

 assembled, her extreme beauty, her princely dignity, and the tears 

 which glistened beneath her sable tresses would have made ample 

 atonement for any deficiency of eloquence ; even if there had been 

 any present able to resist the all-powerful enthusiasm of a lovely 

 and admired woman. 



The sun had long sunk behind the western hills, and the bright 

 banner of loyal England had ceased to float over the ramparts of 

 Pendennis. The Queen, already attired for her voyage, was in 

 her usual apartment, attended by one by no means inferior to her 

 in beauty, nor in those accomplishments which enhance the female 

 character while they give a softened tone to the determined vigour 

 of the mind. The Queen herself was reclining on a low and an- 

 tique couch of black oak ; beside her knelt May Arundel, the 

 niece of the venerable governor. She was weeping bitterly at the 

 approaching departure of her royal guest her sighs were those 

 of more than common friendship and her tears were too truly 

 prompted by the heart to be aught else than a sincere earnest of 

 her feelings. The Queen laid her hands on her head, and as she 

 parted the long auburn ringlets which flowed over her face 

 and neck, she affectionately kissed her forehead, and prayed for 

 a blessing on her future life. " Cheer up, my dear child, and be 

 happy for my sake, " she said, " brighter days may come, and 

 Henrietta Maria may yet live to be your friend, if she lives to be 

 no longer an exile. Cheer up my pretty May, we must have no 

 more tears to-night, for I have pledged my word that I will this 

 hour make two of my young people happy." May Arundel cast 



