10 THE MONTHLY
not to that false-hearted fiend. You tell me that
your convent is poor,---my richest jewels shall be
the reward. You remind me the power and influ-
ence of Marlowe is great;--the benedictions of a
pure heart, and the prayers of an bumhle maiden
Shall seek to yon that protection from heaven,
which may be denied you on earth."
" Daughter," said the Abbot, " the reward is
the inheritance of Satan, the prayers of the giver
can never avail me."
" Holy Father," exclaimed Gertrude, " does it
become the Church which I have been taught to
revere as the pillar of our land, to lend its power
and influence in oppressing the helpless, and to sell
its aid to the cause of tyranny? Let it not be said
of thee at least, my lord Abbot, that the prayers
of the innocent were ever less in thy sight, than
the commands of the guilty.”
" Maiden," answered the Monk,“ thy prayers
may not have wanted their effect. A conviction
of the right has not led me to thy wishes, but that
the Holy Church may be instrumental to thy peace
and happiness; meet me an hour hereafter in the
Chapel with thy betrothed."
Thus saying he quitted the chureh, and as the
last sound of his footsteps died away, Gertrude
Walshingham starting as from a dream, exclaimed--
" Thanks thy lord Abbot," and retiring from the
building tripped with a light step down an avenue
overhung with lofty trees by a path which led to
the abbey of St. Cuthberts. At the foot of the
avenue the figure of a man was seen to glide
