PROTESTANT; A TALE OF THE REIGN OF QUEEN MARY. BY THE AUTHOR OF 'DE FOIX,' 'THE WHITE HOODS,' &c PRINTED BY J. & J. HARPER, 82 CLIFF-ST. SOLD BY COLLINS AND HANNAY, COLIJNS AND CO., G. AND C, CARVILL THE PROTESTANT. CHAPTER I. A DEADLY paleness was on the cheeks of the Lady Arabella when she entered the housekeeper's room, on her return from Wellminster Church. She threw herself into a chair, motioned Deborah to close the door, and was for some time speechless. The alarmed housekeeper again sought for drops and water, nor did Arabella refuse either. In some degree recovered from the strong emotions that had overpowered her, she suddenly rose up, threw her arms round Deborah's neck, kissed her, and burst into tears, as she exclaimed, " My dear old nurse, I have no mother, I have not a friend I can trust upon the face of the earth unless you will be such to me at my need, and never did a poor creature need a friend so much as I do at this moment." "Alack " said Deborah," dear young lady, I am your faithful servant, and friend too, as it pleases you to stoop to call me so; and not all the Friar Johns in the world should make me harm a hair of your head. And as to my poor lady, your dear mother, she would have me in her dying hour to be a friend to you in a way I have never dared yet to tell of. So, you may trust me, and, God knows, I would die to serve you." "I believe it, Deborah," replied Arabella; "I will trust you. Make fast the door, and you shall hear all that has passed, not only this morning, but before. You shall know those precious events which are of consequence sufficient to involve the future happiness of my life." |