WILLIAM FITZ-OSBERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 61, 13 March 1871, Page 2

WILLIAM FITZ-OSBERT.

A STORY OF LONDON LIFE IN THE DATS OF RICHARD COEUR DE LION. From the Family Friend. Chapter XII. ARMSTRONG PROPOSES TO NELLY. The change which had been wrought in Fitz-Osbert's heart by the influence of his daughter was not so complete as he himself had imagined. Never since those grim events which paralysed the best feelings of his nature had he experienced so much mental peace; but the raging lire within him had not been thoroughly quenched, there still lurked a smouldering spark, and as he walked by the side of Nelly towards the Priory of Holy Trinity he felt the old fire bursting into Unrne. He had nourished his hatred and hope of revenge so long that it had become almost a part of himself. The conscfousness that every step was taking him nearer to Sir Hugh stirred up the bitterness of the past, and the holier thoughts inspired by the gentle eloyuence of his child seemed to iose their control over his soul. "We can see the Priory now, father; we shall soon be there," said Nelly, her bright bine eyes lighted with hope that the reconciliation would soon be accomplished. Fitz-Osbert was silent. "If dear mother can see us from the spirit-land, how happy she will be to know that ere long a Christian peace will consecrate our lives. You will see Father Broadhart at the Priory. He has often desired to speak to you. He is a great and good man, and when he talks to me of Jesus I always feel a calm, an inexpressible sense of happiness; the broad skies, and the solemn clouds, and the sighing winds, seem to be mere wonderful and full of the great- mystery of eternal Heaven. I have often wished to talk to you about these things, but I felt that I could not talk as Broadhart did, and you — you were always busy. Now that I know your great trouble, father let us sometimes speak our thoughts, and you shall teach me, father, about the sun, and moon, and stars, and about the ho!y martyrs of olden times; and I will tell you about the sick and pooratHounsditch, and you shall talk to me about the unjust taxes on the poor citizens; and how you intend to get justice on their side. We shall be very, very happy, then." "Yes — yes, we will," replied Fitz-Osbert in a tone of indifference that showed his thoughts were wandering elsewhere. Nelly looked up into his face. The old evil expression had settled upon it^ ; The stern, sulky brooding look of her parent exerted an... irritating influence over her mind which it had never done before, for the excitement of the last few days had overwrought her nerves, and the sudden discovery that the reconciliation was still For remainder of neivs see Fourth page. 0

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incomplete cast a momentary gloom over her spirit. They walked a' short distance in silence. Nelly's enthusiastic words dawned gradually on her father's mind with shape and meaning. The picture of peace and content on earth which she had drawn developed itself before his mental vision with increasing distinctness, and the black shadow disappeared from his face. "You are right, Nelly. It will be better for us both to talk sometimes ot other than earthly affairs. I grow weary of the wickedness and worry that surrounds our brief existence in this world. No true peace will ever be my lot until higher hopes and truer wisdom absorb my thoughts. I will strive to subdue the torturing violence of cruel memory; I will try to shut out the past; and I will try to forgive my enemies; but you must help me to do all this. Talk to me often of that sweet philosophy which arms the soul against all worldly cares, and you will save me perhaps from myself. I have fed too long on the miserable past, and have drank too deeply of its bitterness. Help me now to the peace and happiness that spring from the hope of an eternal rest." He said this with a sad meekness and an earnest loojfc at his child, as though he felt that she was his only source of strength, and that without her gentle influence he was unable to keep in view the joy of the future, and to tear himself from the evil clutches of memory. They had arrived at the Priory, and Broadhart came forward to receive them. The good priest extended his haud to Fitz-Osbert, and was surprised at the humility and fervor with which the latter grasped it. Not a word was spoken, and Fitz-Osbert took hold of Nelly's hand^as Broadhart led the way along the narrow corridor. When they entered the chamber of the wounded Crusader they found him seated upon the edge of the couch , for notwithstanding entreaties, he had persisted in concealing the signs of his recent injury as much as possible from Fitz-Osbert. With an effort he rose to his feet and held out his hand to Nelly's father. " Fitz-Osbert, you have been shamefully wickedly wronged. Can you forgive my misfortune in being the offspring of the woman who has so mercilessly blighted your life? If you can, I swear by the good St. Edmund to do you recompense." "There can be no sufficient recompense on earth," interrupted Fitz-Osbert rather warmly, but at the same time accepting the proffered hand. •'Yet justice may be done," said Sir Hugh, "and by all the saints I swear this great crime shall be wiped out, or I shall pay the penalty with my life blood." "Nay, Sir Hugh," replied Fitz-Osbert with unusual calmness, "let us leave the stern duty of justice and retribution to a mightier Judge. I have sought to aim the avenging shaft, but it has threatened to recoil on myself. My own dear child has taught me to be wiser, and Heaven will give me strength to be generous. Let us bear no malice, and let this holy man sanctify our reconciliation with his blessing." "You speak wisely, worthy citizen," said Broadhart, and crossing his hands upon his breast, the good man muttered a Latiu benediction. Sir Hugh sank down on his couch. The exertion of rising had made him faint and giddy. A crimson flush of 6hame overspread Fitz-Osbert's face as he observed for the first time the evidence of Armstrong's rough and cowardly handling. "You are weak and ill, Sir Hugh. Keep quiet for a lew days, and then I will ask you to forget your injury as I have forgiven — I cannot forget- — mine." "It was only a scratch. I have received heavier blows beneath the walls of Acre, and could join the fight within an hour after. Since we are no longer foes, I want to beg of you the service of a friend. I left my men at the Tower some days ago, and have not since communicated with them. They will be alarmed at my absence, and may possibly start for Danedred Tower. I have now good reasons for not wishing them to go thither without me. A curse is upon the threshold. I will go there in state with banner and with lance, and the Lady of Danedred — my mother, my own mother — shall answer for her crime, or the death- wail shall sound from the battlements, and the walls be laid low with flame and sword. Send to the Tower, and let it be known that a trifling accident has befallen me, and that within three days I shall be prepared to start from London." It was evident Sir Hugh was very much excited, and that it would be wise to leave him to repose. "Trust me, Sir Hugh," said Fitz-Osbert; "I will see to your men, and will bring you tidings of them to morrow." "Until then you must rest, or your strength will be devoured by fever," said Broadhart, turning to Sir Hugh and speaking with more firmness than usual. "May I ask a favor of you, Sir Hugh?" inquired Nellys who had remained watching

with anxious silence the changing emotions visible in the young Crusader's face. The quick ray of light that flashed from his dark eyes was sufficient answer. "I want your promise," she continued, "that you will foster no thought of violence while beneath this sacred roof, that you will listen well to all that our good father Broadhart shall say, and that the doctrines of the Cross for which you have expended so much toil and faced so much danger may guide you in all your future acts." Fitz-Osbert stared at the bold earnestness of his daughter, and Broadhart himself seemed puzzled at the strange firmness with Avhich she spoke. Her own womanly instinct told her that she could sway the impetuous spirit of Sir Hugh; she felt, and without hesitation she availed herself of her power for good. Sir Hugh gazed at her for a few moments in silence. They were moments of intense pleasure. In the depths of her blue eyes beamed a tender expression of thought and wisdom that seemed to thrill through his soul like heavenly music. "I promise you," he said solemnly, "if the golden gates of Paradise were opened and I were invited to enter, it would be no less impossible to refuse. The fervor of his manner was not unnoticed by Fitz-Os-bert and Broadhart; the former looked troubled as he gazed from one to the other, and watched the smile on Nelly's face as she permitted Sir Hugh to take her hand in his and gently press it. When Nelly and her father returned home they sat beside the blazing logs on the hearth, and talked about the priest and the young Crusader with more mutual confidence and more pleasant earnestness than they had ever talked before. Fitz-Osbert began to discover that his daughter was no longer a simple child. Her shrewdness of observation, her wisdom and unassuming piety gradually showed him that he possessed in Nelly not only a gentle and beautiful daughter, but a wise and clever companion. He had began a new life, he had turned from grovelling hatred to be at peace with all the world, to look hopefully to the great future, and here was the sacred reward already manifest. Nelly had judged rightly when she thought that the brave and generous bearing of Sir Hugh would favourably impress her father. It was so: Sir Hugh,s handsome face and honest manner, and his evident detestation of his mother's crime had equally won the sympathy of Fitz-Osbert, and had extinguished for ever the expiring sparks of his long fostered hatred. He did not hesitate, therefore, to speak of Sir Hugh with respect and to approve of Nelly's arguments, which all seemed to tend indirectly to the praise of the young Crusader, Had she paused to ask herself the reason of the allabsorbing interest in Sir Hugh, she might have been more reserved. A modest thump at the oaken door, and the gruff voice of Armstrong abruptly terminated their agreeble conversation. "Vfelcome, good neighbor" said FitzOsbert rising to meet his guest with more cordiality than was his custom, for they had had angry words in the morning, and Fitz-Osbert was too light-hearted now to encourage a thought of ill-feeling. The armourer accepted the greeting with thorough good will, and making^ profound obeisance to Nelly, seated himself on the bench by the fire. "What news bring you now?" enquired Fitz-Osbert. "Worse news than ever." "How mean you?" "He's gone — escaped," replied Armstrong, looking intensely miserable, and speaking in a half whisper. Fitz-Osbert burst out into a laugh. If he had stood on his head, the armourer could not have been more astonished to hear the citizen-lawyer laugh. He had never heard him laugh before. Nelly was herself surprised, for the sound was unfamiliar to her ears; but she quickly perceived the reason, and she felt a thrill of happiness at this new evidence of the change that had come over her father. "Ha! ha! ha! Why, what ails you, neighbor? You look frightened." Armstrong looked at Fitz-Osbert, and then at Nelly still more perplexed, and as Nelly was smiling, he tried hard to smile himself, but the corners of his capacious mouth obstinately refused to be controlled by art, and hie only succeeded in making a grimace. "1 tell you he has gone," persisted Armstrong, laying great emphasis on the "he." "I understand you, perfectly,,' said FitzOsbert ; "and I fear our contract is at an end." Armstrong scratched his head nervously, and blushed crimson. "It is no fault of mine, then. By St. Dunstan, I did my work well enough," he replied, with a discontented growl. Nelly left the room. . She had seen and heard enough to guess Armstrong's share in her father's plot against Sir Hugh; and she felt a dislike for the man, which the mention of a contract did not tend to remove. To be continued.