Oh, what would this earth be were it all in all, and what were life if ending in the grave?
Faith, thou art the crystal key opening to the spirit the glorious vision of immortality, bidding the trusting heart, when sick and weary of the dark deeds and ruthless spoilers of this lovely earth, rest on thy downy wings, and seek for peace and comfort there.
"Who waits ?" demanded the king, as his pen ceased in its task.
"Sir Stephen Fitzjohn, my liege, sent by the Earl of Berwick with the warrant, for which he waits." "He need wait no longer then, for it is there.

Two hours before noon the traitor dies; we give him grace till then, that our good subjects of Berwick may take warning by his fate, and our bird in the cage witness the end of the gallant so devoted to her cause.

Bid the knight begone, my Lord of Arundel; he hath too long waited our pleasure.

Ha! whom have we here?
who craves admittance thus loudly ?" he added, observing, as the earl lifted the hangings to depart, some bustle in the ante-room.

"Who is it so boldly demanding speech with us ?" "Her Highness the Princess Joan, Countess of Gloucester, please you, my liege," replied the chamberlain; "she will not take denial." "Is it so hard a thing for a daughter to gain admittance to a father, even though he be a sovereign ?" interrupted the princess, who, attended only by a single page bearing her train, advanced within the chamber, her firm and graceful deportment causing the lords to fall back on either side, and give her passage, though the expression of their monarch's countenance denoted the visit was unwelcome.
"Humbly and earnestly I do beseech your grace's pardon for this over-bold intrusion," she said, bending one knee before him; "but indeed my business could not be delayed.