SBumnofo rior. 127 



screen of dark old oak lay the corpse of the Lady Marian ; 

 it was covered with flowers according to the fashion of 

 the age, for as yet this custom of the olden time was not 

 laid aside. The bracelet was on her wrist; its fier 

 poison had dried her life's blood, and cankered the flesh 

 it touched. Her face was ghastly pale, but a heavenly 

 smile irradiated her fine countenance ; it told that all 

 within was peace that even the last dire deed had not 

 disturbed her thought of heaven. The veiled nuns stood 

 around their loud sobs were heard, even the officiating 

 priests and brothers wept bitterly ; and the " dies irae" 

 died away on their quivering lips as the warrior entered. 

 He flung himself upon the bier, and uttered, in the wild- 

 ness of his anguish, a thousand maledictions on his 

 wretched head. It was long before he could be removed, 

 and then he returned neither to the camp nor court. He 

 relinquished his mail and helmet for the cowl and gown, and 

 became a faithful brother of the order of St. Augustine. 



Peace be with thee, noble lady; a quiet waiting in the 

 place of rest, whither thy spirit is departed, for the 

 summons of thy Lord. This earth has changed greatly 

 since thy young feet trod the precincts of Sherwood 

 Forest ; the contiguous priory has fallen down, thy 

 father's castle is still in ruins ; all thy companions in the 

 hall and cloister have passed from the earth ; and here, 

 within this venerable relic of the olden time, in the 

 midst of a field of corn, reposes thy mortal frame. 

 Lady Marian Peace be with thee. Rest in hope, till 



