388 EstJi^r WhanicUff ; [Oct. 



" rather the wheel, fire, sword, famine, than purchase life by hypocrisy. 

 We may deceive mankind, but who can close the eye of Heaven ?" 



" So slight a sin, in such extremity, will surely be forgiven," replied 

 the priest. 



" No !" rejoined the captive. " Say rather that Heaven has doomed 

 me to this trial, that I may prove myself worthy." 



" If for yourself you have no fears," resumed Frederick, almost des- 

 perate at his sister's continued opposition, " have mercy on your child ! 

 — that innocent and helpless being whom you thus doom !" 



" Cease, cease ! They have not hearts to do it !" exclaimed the 

 agonized mother, as pressing yet closer to her child (who now crouched 

 trembling by her side), she endeavoured to close her ears against the 

 frightful sounds. 



" They have, and will !" replied the priest. " I have already twice 

 witnessed the spectacle." 



A fearful shriek, at these words, burst from the lips of the prisoner, as 

 with the force of madness she clasped her child to her breast. The 

 monk renewed his supplications, endeavouring to persuade her to make 

 at least an external abjuration cf her heresy. When he concluded, he 

 was still in doubt whether she was sensible to his exhortation ; she stood 

 motionless and silent, with her glassy eyes fixed wildly on her child — 

 pale as death, and with the frightful expression of one whose spirit had 

 departed in agony. 



At length she moved — a fearful shudder convulsed her frame, and, 

 clasping her hands together, she raised her eyes to heaven, and mur- 

 mured, as from the bottom of lier soul, " Jlurder my child, or renounce 

 my God !" Her breath came thick and short ; a terrible smile for a 

 moment distorted her lips, but when it passed away she stood, like a 

 thing of mai'ble, calm, and cold. 



" Well, be it so !" were the first words she uttered ; and turning 

 towards her brother, with the same cold expression, she added, in a firm 

 voice, " I am content to die eternally to save his life." 



" Never, mother, rxexer," said the boy, gently pressing her hand as 

 tears streamed down his cheek ; " I will not scream, I will not call on 

 you, I will not shriek, but I will die as I have often dropt asleep, and 

 the angels will take me from the flames, to hear their songs in heaven. 

 Let us thank God that he hath chosen us, and not deny him in the hour 

 of need." ' 



" There spoke a higher mind than thine, sweet child," exclaimed 

 Esther, pressing him to her heart. " Yes, Ave will die together ; and 

 deatli is too light punishment for one so weak and frail as I have this 

 hour proved myself. Go, Frederick," she added, turning towards her 

 brother, " if yoii have any love for me, go. IMy journey is well nigh 

 accomplished, and I would make my peace with Heaven. The know- 

 ledge of your affection has come to me like sweet odours from the fields 

 of my youth, and if my prayers can aught avail, I will plead for you at 

 the throne of mercy. Farewell ! and should you ever meet the man 

 who called himself my husband, tell him I forgave him." 



The monk, pressing his sister and her child alternately in his arms, 

 murmured a blessing above their heads, and rushed from the cell. 



The remainder of the night was spent by the prisoner and her boy Jh 

 prayer, and the morning found them prepared for the awful fate await- 

 ing them ; the elder, supported by a calm reliance on a blissful futurity. 



^^. 



