like "the good dukes" who figure in these pages until the fiat of fair criticism commands me to sto and then, like the reclaimed robber (in Gil Blas, is not?) who unsuccessfully tried a more regular wa of life, I can grasp my stick in my hand, and take the "Highways" again.

On looking back on what I have been writing, feel called on to acknowledge having met a few e ceptions in Holland to the dearth of those genero courtesies which give so superior a charm to oth countries. I need not specify all names. But in r ferring to the several individuals who kindly furnishe facilities for the performance of my present task, must mention Baron Van Tuyll d' Ysledom. Th gentleman, whose near neighbourhood to the ruins Teylingen, and whose connexion with the existin Castle of Zuylen (both of such interest in the Histor of my Heroine) made his ability to forward my obje equal to his wish, knew how to add value to his in formation by that cordial hospitality which, joined t the external appearance of his place, makes the so journer fancy himself on some transplanted spot, what will soon again, please Heaven! be entitled t be called "merrie" England.

And now, in conclusion, let me, my dear Faulkner entreat you to excuse my thus having used your nam for my own purposes-were it only for my withhold ing epithets of eulogy, which might offend your mo desty, but which should be exaggerated indeed to express more than I feel of esteem and friendship. Yours very sincerely,

T, C. G.

June, 1831.

JACQUELINE OF HOLLAND.

CHAPTER I.

the southern limits of the wild district, called the colden,* close to the desert plains of the ancient of Drent, where they were washed by the Zuyder Species of hunting tent, but of much better materials hose used by the rude sportsmen of the forest, was led from the overhanging branches of a knoll of It was surrounded by groups of prickers, with bu ung across their shoulders, and holding in leash unds of the large red Albanian breed, and Flemish of coarse and spotted skins; varlets, tending horses, oned with long coverings; soldiers, armed at all and halberds in hand: but the active movements of ho prepare for the chace, the joyous songs, the cries , the flourish of horns, did not break the silence of ce. It had often been the scene of similar assembut at no former period, nor even during the four es which have elapsed since that day, had it been by so distinguished a company, or for so serious a

er the pavilion were two persons: the one, a man of an middle age, sat with his hands clasped together, s crossed, and his elbows resting on the arms of a hair, which was garnished with the unusual luxury ck cushion. Notwithstanding this attitude of lazy ence, he did not seem at his ease. He appeared oded by his riding dress of brown cloth of Bruges, h his doublet was open on his breast, and his red girdle was loosely buckled round his portly waist.

A few short, grisled hairs fringed the circumference o large head, which was covered with a hat of grey His rosy jowls were whiskerless; nor was there musta on his upper lip, nor beard on his chin. Nothing but texture and pattern of his dress was characteristic of man of quality or the sportsman.

Standing near to him, and leaning on a bow of Spar yew, a female of elegant form, and a face of melanch beauty, listened, but with a pre-occupied air, to his course. Her features were more strongly marked t those of mere girls in early youth; yet they joined a blo and freshness rarely found after the very spring-time life, to a decided dignity that only belongs to womanho and her face displayed that harmonious brilliancy wh can receive the imprint of suffering without being wither by it. She was dressed in the fashion of the wealthier males of Holland, in a robe of fine white kersey, over whi was a light blue pourpoint of the same stuff, close fitti her bust and waist, but with loose flaps that reached t knees. Her hair, worn in great profusion, was fanciful garnished with side plates and rings of gold, studded wi precious stones; and beneath her high cap of green velv hung innumerable curls, of light brown, tinged with occ sional streaks of a shade that was all but auburn. H shoes of blue morocco were sharp pointed, and turned u almost to the instep; and a narrow belt of blue silk wa fastened in front with a diamond aigrette, below whic hung two points of gold filagree work.

"You see the good effect of piety and prayer, my lovel countess, my much honoured daughter," said her compa nion, in the French language, but with the harsh accen of the north. "While you encountered such manifold pe rils, I unceasingly offered up masses for your success; and here you are, safely arrived in harbour, or at least, you bark is launched under fair auspices."

Yes, but on a stormy sea!" replied she, with a heavy sigh.

"What then? You have a bold and skilful pilot to conduct it," replied the disguised ecclesiastic, with a satis fied air. "The son, brother, and uncle of kings, himself the regent of an empire, is the man to throw defiance in the teeth of your unnatural cousin. By the shrine of St.

JACQUELINE OF HOLLAND.

3

rod, this is what I call a marriage! Half the prinin Europe will envy you."

beautiful huntress, for such she was, as well in spiseeming, threw her azure eyes to Heaven, and a stened on their long lashes.

churchman looked peevish and dissatisfied; and in half angry and half cringing, he continued,

y, Madam, recollect it is he alone that can now save eritage from utter spoliation. Who but the royal er can make head against the all-powerful Burgunshow the world how bad is his title to his misplaced f'the Good?' How but by his aid are your faithals to be saved, and your free towns of Holland and A to hold their freedom? And one daring friend, Van Culemborg, with his see of Utrecht, what is me of him, should ambitious Philip surprise us, other help than our enmity? Let me tell you, my d princess, that in this perilous game it is I who e largest stake, for the good Duke Philip would down to the death if he suspected but a tithe of doing for you."

reverend lord, let your anxieties rest on their true plied the lady, with a somewhat disdainful pride. s have gone too far to allow of my holding back; need not to learn that Jacqueline of Holland comes e which has ever feared dishonour more than mis

that is spoken like yourself, like the descendant of le line," replied the reassured bishop, rubbing his ith selfish joy; "and if you would make surety e, if you would rivet one link, to join us all in a common safety rather than of common risk, is not ime? What can be more lucky than my presence nuptial knot? and when could you better change of affianced bride for that of wedded wife?"

raised his eyes to those of Jacqueline, his discourse nce cut short at seeing them sparkle with indignand dropping his looks again towards the ground, ey were commonly fixed whenever he spoke, he without interruption as she replied:

t, or prelate, for I give you your choice of titles

this outset of our enterprize that we understand each other. Your alliance is of high price to one in my forlorn situation, and still more valuable is the aid of England's regent. But for neither can I forego the sense of my own dignity, nor incur the blame of my own conscience. I am satisfied, if Heaven wills it so, to be the most wretched of women; but I will die sooner than do aught I may be ashamed of. How, then, can you counsel me a secret marriage while another husband yet lives, and ere my hated bonds are yet broken ?"

"Nay, your interest and his highness of Glocester's, leave little doubt of your unlawful marriage being at this hour annulled, even if John of Brabant yet live to receive the bull by which his Holiness will sever your union. Both divorce and widowhood may at this moment be yours. Then hesitate not on weak scruples, from which I am ready to absolve you."

"Alas, alas!" said Jacqueline, sinking on a chair similar to the bishop's, "how often on my sad and dreary path of life have I met those ever ready to remove the scruples of my conscience, and point out the broad road to crime!" "Crime, Madam Jacqueline!"

"No less, reverend count. When my first affianced lord, the Dauphin, fell a victim to perfidy and poison, and I lost at once a promised husband and a crown, how many a tongue held forth to check the tide of natural remorse, with which I looked on the unholy union with my hated cousin John! And when I did yield me to the counsel of my friends, and sacrificed myself to the mere phantom of a spouse, who could scarcely bear the burden of his own infirmities, much less uphold me and my rights-how was I urged, ay, by this very pontiff, Martin V., to overcome the terror which made me, as I declared in full assembly to the states of Hainault, tremble like an aspen leaf, whenever my boy-husband threatened to approach me!"

"Ay, my much honoured daughter," rejoined the prelate, with an unsanctified leer, "and no wonder you should shrink from the approach of such a mere mockery of manhood. But how different now your lot! How different the gallant Glocester, when he comes towards you full of love_"

"Hold, my Lord Zweder! Another word like this