WILLIAM FITZ OSBERT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 70, 23 March 1871, Page 2

WILLIAM FITZ OSBERT.

A STORY OF LONDON LIFE IN THE DAYS OF RICHARD CCEUR DE LION. From the Family Friend. When all the preparations were completed, the party, considerably augmented in number by Sir Hugh's followers, proceeded on the road to Norwich. After an hour of brisk riding they came to the borders of a dense forest, through which the road was continued; and as there was great difficulty for the horses to proceed, in consequence of the broken and winding nature of the path. Mary and her female attendants dismounted, For remainder of news see fourth page.

Sir Hugh, in company with half-a-dozen horsemen, rode some distance in advance, and another body of mounted retainers followed at an equal distance in the rear. A few men on foot, armed with long bows, entered the thicket on either side. These precautions were rendered necessary by the troubled state of the country; for the scattered adherents of King Richard's infamous brother frequently collected together in the forests aud lived by plundering travellers, and even villages — burning the houses, and slaughtering the unfortunate inhabitants. Walrick, who had no particular occupation, and voluntarily acted iv all capacities — at one moment Sir Hugh's lieutenant, and at another his humble serving-man — took this opportunity to approach Mary de Lawn ford — "Does my lady remember one who was more distinguished by his folly than his wisdom?" he asked. "I have good reason," replied Mary, "to remember all the folly of the past." "Verily, my lady, thou art in grief; thy answer hath a flavor of bitterness. Know ye not that the folly of the fool is ofttimes better than the wisdom of the wise?" "How so?" "Folly causeth mirth. Mirth is healthful. Wisdom teacheth us to avoid folly, but seldom hath success until folly hath taught us wisdom." "Then you should be the healthiest and wisest of men," replied Mary. "For the matter of health, my lady, I am as the blast of a trumpet — sound of wind; and as for wisdom, I am wise enough to be a fpol. Good humor likes fooling, and go A humor is a wise state. Art thou in g«r9Bhumor?" '"have no heart for fooling." "Then more the pity that thou should' st have lost thy heart so young. Hath not my master returned thee one for thine?" Mary blushed, and turned away her head dk this bold question. She half wished that Sff Hugh could know how deeply she loved him; and the thought flashed across her that Walrick might be the means of divulging her secret, "I fear your master has uono to bestow," she replied, with a suppressed sigh. " 'Tis just likely that thy fear is justified. I have seen a comely lady — the daughter of a wealthy citizen — iv sweet companionship with my lord, anil he appeared to be pouring forth his heart through his eyes." Mary gave au involuntary start, and a death-like pallor overspread her face. "When did you see this?" she asked, with a despera c efTort to appear indifferent — an effort, however, that her trembling J^ps refused to obey. "Not many days ago." "What is her name?" "Nelly E^Osbert." "Is not HJJffafher the leader of a seditious party r* "So 'tis said." "Is she very beautiful?" ' 'That, my lady, is a question I caunot safely answer. Beauty is that which pleaseth the eye. She may please my eye, but not thine; she may please my lord's eye, but not mine." Mary was about to question Walrick further, but their conversation was abruptly terminated by Sir Hugh, who had ridden back to inform Mary and her attendants that they might now mount their palfreys with safety. A sadden turn of the road led them out of the dense forest on to an open moorland, and Sir Hugh placed himself again by Mary's side, and chatted pleasantly concerning his adventures and the future prospects of the country. He little knew the aching heart of the palefaced girl who listened so patiently to all he said.