The Buccaneer - A Tale

"So please you, madam," replied Barbara, "the Rabbi would not be

separated from his daughter. He seems to think her only safe under his

own eye. So he forced her to lie on his own bed, and she has fallen,

poor lady, into a deep sleep--and he sits by her side, sometimes gazing

upon a dim old book, full of strange marks and characters, but more

often looking upon the face of his child, until his eyes fill with

tears; and then he clasps his hands, and mutters, what I know must be a

blessing, it is so earnest; and then, if perchance she moves and the

pillow swells, or the coverlet be disturbed, he smooths it so gently you

would think it was a woman's hand, and not that of a man. Ah, my lady!

love makes all things gentle."

"I wonder," observed Lady Frances, "will she turn Christian?"

"She has been a kind nurse to me, in my trouble," replied the puritan;

"but our good preacher says her heart is far from being humbled. She has

a high mind, and is proud of her tribe. While we were in the cell,

Master Fleetword took a deal of pains with her, and expoundiated most

wonderfully for hours together; but I fear me the seed fell upon stony

ground: for, though she sat still enough, I know she did not listen."

"Where is your father?"

Barbara started at the abruptness of the question, and colouring, she

knew not why, said, "Please you, my lady, though his Highness at first commanded him hence,

he has graciously suffered him to remain until to-morrow's noon. Ah,

madam!" she continued, sinking on the ground at Lady Frances's feet, "if

you would only, only remember the promise you made when you gave me

this,"--she held the clasp of the golden chain towards Lady

Frances,--"and intercede with him, to whom is given the power of life

and death, to pardon to the uttermost, and suffer Hugh Dalton to tarry

on this island, I would--I would--alas! my lady, I am but a poor girl,

and have nothing to give save blessings, and they shower so upon the

heads of greatness that they must weary and not gladden; but my blessing

would come from the heart, and it is not always, I hear, that the heart

beats when the lips speak. So good, my lady, think upon your own great

father; and think that as great as he have ere now asked for mercy; and

then think upon mine--mine, who is as brave, and--and--will be as honest

as the best man in all England. Then, gracious madam, it is not from

presumption I speak, but Robin has wit and wisdom, and wit and wisdom

are sometimes needed by those in high places; but he would lend--ay,

give it all, to serve any one who pleasured me in a smaller thing than

this. I can do nothing; but Robin is one who can always do much."