United States or Albania ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
A few convulsive struggles were accompanied with these broken words, "Joceline I am gone but I forgive thee Doctor Rochecliffe I wish I had minded more Oh! the clergyman the funeral service" As he uttered these words, indicative, it may be, of his return to a creed, which perhaps he had never abjured so thoroughly as he had persuaded himself, his voice was lost in a groan, which, rattling in the throat, seemed unable to find its way to the air.
"Nay, do not take the high tone with me, brother" answered Joceline; "remember thou hast not the old knight of sixty-five to deal with, but a fellow as bitter and prompt as thyself it may be a little more so younger, at all events and prithee, why shouldst thou take such umbrage at a Maypole?
Bevis turned, and barked, and showed some inclination to harass the retreat of this suspicious person, yet, as if uncertain, ran towards Joliffe, and fawned on him, as to demand his advice and encouragement. Joceline pacified the animal, and, coming up to his young lady, asked her, with surprise, what was the matter, and whether she had been frightened?
But almost ere his step was upon the floor, certainly before he had obtained any secure footing, the old knight, who stood ready with his rapier drawn, made a desperate pass, which bore the intruder to the ground. Joceline, who clambered up next with a dark lantern in his hand, uttered a dreadful exclamation, when he saw what had happened, crying out, "Lord in heaven, he has slain his own son!"
Withhold nothing, Joliffe let them have all. For me, I will never cross the threshold again but where to rest for a night? I would trouble no one in Woodstock hum ay it shall be so. Alice and I, Joceline, will go down to thy hut by Rosamond's well; we will borrow the shelter of thy roof for one night at least; thou wilt give us welcome, wilt thou not? How now a clouded brow?"
Joceline did not immediately answer, but at length, as if in sign of truce, stuck the end of his quarterstaff upright in the ground, and leant upon it as he said gruffly, "So, my tough old knight and you were at drawn bilbo, by way of afternoon service, sir preacher Well for you I came not up till the blades were done jingling, or I had rung even-song upon your pate."
"It will not need, Sir Henry," said Joceline, speaking with great difficulty of utterance "he is quiet enough now he will not offend in that sort again." "See it be so," replied the knight; "remember Mistress Alice often walks in the Chase. And now, fill round, and fill too, a cup to thyself to overred thy fear, as mad Will has it.
"Assure yourself, sir," replied Alice, "that his sagacity saw in this man a stranger, whom he thought himself obliged to watch circumspectly, and therefore he remained with Joceline." "Not so, Alice," answered Sir Henry; "he leaves me because my fortunes have fled from me.
So I accept your courtesy, Sir Henry, and I thank you, as a cavalier of Lunsford should thank one of the fighting clerks of Oxon. God bless the King! I care not who hears it, and confusion to Noll and his red nose!" Off he went accordingly with a bottle-swagger, guided by Joceline, to whom Albert, in the meantime, had whispered, to be sure to quarter him far enough from the rest of the family.
"Can this be, Joceline?" said the poor girl, turning to the keeper with an expression of fright in her countenance, which she had hitherto averted in rural coquetry. "As sure, my dearest Phoebe, as"
Word Of The Day