_ON THE STILL ISIS._
The breath of spring was in the air. The verdant meadows had put on
their rich new dress, and the flowers were springing up as if to welcome
the returning strength and heat of the sun. The fritillaries gemmed the
river-banks, and the stretches of woodland were blue with the carpet of
fragrant wild hyacinth. The song of the cuckoo was in the air, and on
north slopes the star-like primrose lingered yet. The chill east winds
were changed to soft, summer-like zephyrs from the south, and everything
in nature spoke of joy and hope and coming summer-tide.
Between its green banks, fringed sometimes by stately forest trees;
meandering sometimes through wide stretches of green pasture, where
cattle fattened upon the rich herbage or stood knee-deep in the shallow
tide, the silent Isis slipped leisurely along.
Passing the Abbey of Eynsham, it widened out to a considerable breadth
as it pursued its leisurely course towards the city of Oxford, seeming
to linger lovingly in these pleasant reaches, far from the tumult and
stir which surrounds the abodes of man.
The sun shone lovingly down upon the green world, and upon the shining,
silver river, on this bright day in May. A boat was drifting slowly
along the tide, propelled sometimes by the strong arms of the rower, at
others idly lying upon the bosom of the stream, gently floating
downwards with the slow, still current. Half-way betwixt Oxford and
Eynsham two fishermen on the banks awaited the return of the tardy boat;
but engrossed by their occupation, and soothed by the soft stillness of
the afternoon, they were in no haste for its arrival. They had met with
considerable success in pursuit of their craft, and a number of shining
fish lay upon the bank beside them.
Edmund de Kynaston and Jack Dugdale were the fishermen; the fair Alys
and Leofric Wyvill were the occupants of the boat.
They had all started forth together, with the intention of paying a
visit to Lotta and her mother; but in the end the temptations of the
river had proved too much for the anglers. Instead of waiting till they
reached the pool near Eynsham, they had been landed some miles lower
down; and whilst Alys and Leofric pursued the original plan, they
remained engrossed by their sport, in no hurry at all for the return of
their companions.
Nor did those companions appear in any haste to rejoin them.
Eight years had passed away since Leofric, an almost penniless lad, had
first entered Oxford, uncertain whether or not he should ever succeed in
maintaining himself there. Now, although not yet five-and-twenty, he had
achieved many successes and distinctions, and was regarded by the
authorities of the place as a promising young Master, secure of honours
and rewards. He had become the recipient of royal bounty, and was in a
position of modest affluence, which seemed to him almost like riches.
Already he had in part carried out the plan suggested by Jack when first
the knowledge of the Prince's generosity had been made known to them.
One hundred marks represented something like sixty pounds, and sixty
pounds in those days was equivalent to several hundreds in our times. It
was positive wealth to Leofric, and enabled him to enter at once upon a
new phase of his career.
Since the exodus of students from Oxford a couple of years before, the
Halls and houses had not filled up to quite their former strength, and
there were still buildings to be had at moderate rentals. Leofric found
a couple of houses in Cat Street, which their owner was glad enough to
rent to a man of substance. One of these Leofric retained for a
dwelling-house for himself and his friend and assistant Jack, turning
the lower floor into a commodious lecture-hall, and repairing and
furnishing the upper story for his own use, although it was larger than
he required at present.
The second house was speedily furnished as a Hall for clerks and
students, and already was full to overflowing. The personal popularity
of the young Master was great, and his determination to accept as his
pupils only men who really desired to study, and who would refrain from
joining in the tumults and riots of the city, made something of a new
departure amongst the keepers of Halls, and attracted at once the better
sort of student, to whom a quiet place of abode, where study was the
rule, was regarded in the light of a boon and a blessing. The Chancellor
had expressed great approval of the rules boldly laid down by Leofric
for the regulation of his house, and Jack was invaluable to him in
assisting him to carry out his plan.
Leofric had recognized the fact that in order to keep his pupils within
reasonable bounds he must make their quarters comfortable. How could
they be expected to remain at home after dark if lights and fires were
denied them, and if the rooms they lived in were kept foul,
ill-smelling, and wretched? So simple were the ideas as to plenishing
and furnishing in those days, that Leofric found it easy to provide for
his pupils comfort sufficient to render his Hall the favourite
throughout Oxford. He insisted on cleanliness, and by doing his own
share to ensure it, stimulated the lads to second his efforts. They paid
him rather more than some Hall Masters asked (save those who were really
poor yet honestly studious, to whom he showed himself liberal and
generous); but they received a liberal diet, comforts undreamed of in
other places, good fires in cold weather, lights after dark, liberty to
play reasonably quiet games in the lecture-room if desired, and a
well-aired and cleanly dormitory to sleep in.
Already many nobles and prelates had sent their sons to Leofric, and he
had been obliged to refuse applications from some of the most notable
men of the day. The Chancellor was urging him to open another Hall; and
already it was being whispered that if the schemes already being
discussed for the foundation of regular colleges should be carried out,
Leofric Wyvill would be the man to place over such an institution.
Leofric was keenly interested in these proposed schemes, and had held
many discussions with those in authority upon that very subject. It was
evident to all that the present condition of Oxford must be reformed;
that the massing together in one place of hundreds and thousands of lads
and men, under no regular discipline and control, was likely to lead to
grave evils, and had been the cause of an infinite amount of bloodshed
and confusion.
Walter de Merton and John Balliol had already given endowments, and the
question of the establishment of colleges, where students should reside
beneath sufficient oversight and control, was being earnestly discussed.
Probably other benefactors would come forward when once a start had been
made; and there seemed little doubt that in the near future Leofric
would obtain a high place as Master or Dean of one of these proposed
buildings.
Leofric's personal popularity was great, and his position rather unique.
He was the favourite of the Prince, from whom he received an annual
bounty; so that all those who supported the royal cause regarded him
with favour. But he was also known as the friend of the De Montforts, as
one who had fought side by side with young Amalric at the battles of
Lewes and Evesham. A halo of glory therefore surrounded him in the eyes
of those who favoured the popular cause, and all men listened to him
with respect and enthusiasm, as to a man who had seen great things, had
shared in the most notable movement of the day, and had covered himself
with glory and renown. For all sorts of stories were afloat about his
prowess and valour, many of which he had combated in vain. He was fain
to submit at last to be regarded in the light of a hero, though
marvelling not a little at having won such a reputation.
His position, however, was assured. Although a layman, and resolved to
remain one, he saw before him a career full of possibilities. He knew
that his advancement would be more rapid if he consented to take orders,
but he had never wavered in his resolve against so doing. A man might
now advance to high distinction even in the University, and yet remain a
layman, and Leofric had never been tempted for a moment to the clerical
vocation. Perhaps some amongst his closer friends knew the reason why.
He had been admitted to the Castle for long as the friend both of Edmund
and his father. The Constable liked and respected him, and his successes
had made him rather a notable man. The death of Amalric had taken some
hold upon the minds and hearts of the De Kynastons, who had loved him
well, and regarded him almost in the light of Alys's betrothed husband.
She herself had been much affected by the story of his death, and had
looked pale and pensive for some time. But to-day her cheek had regained
its bloom, her eyes were bright and soft, and her voice and laugh showed
a heart where happiness had made its home, and from which sorrow and
pain had been banished.
A journey by water to Eynsham was always a treat to Alys. Linda and she
corresponded as regularly as the uncertainty of messengers would permit;
and when she heard from her former companion, she always sought to take
news of her to the mother and sister dwelling beneath the Priory walls.
Lotta had never recovered from the effects of her strange illness. Her
mind remained a blank as to the events of her stormy girlhood. She was
like a gentle child, living in the present, or in the more remote past,
happy with her mother, and always eager for news of her sister, yet
without any real comprehension or memory of the events which had
transpired during the past eight years.
The news to-day was of an exceptionally happy nature. Linda was the
mother of a fair son, and Hugh had received knighthood and the gift of a
goodly Manor at the hands of the Prince. There had been extensive
confiscations of the estates of the supporters of the De Montforts, and
the Prince had not forgotten Hugh when he came to distribute this spoil
amongst those who had served him at the critical time of his career.
Having brought tidings of these good things to Lotta and her mother,
Leofric and Alys were on their way to rejoin their companions; but the
beauty of the day, and the warmth of the sunshine upon the flowing
river, tempted them to idleness. They were talking of past days, and of
how the friendship between them had grown and grown.
"The first time I saw you," said Alys, "was when you lifted me from my
palfrey, that day when he was frightened and nearly threw me to the
ground. How little we thought then of all that would happen later!"
"Indeed yes," he answered earnestly. "Looking back to those days, it all
seems like a dream; and yet, Alys, I think I loved thee from that very
day. Dost know that thou hast always been to me a bright particular
star, set high above me in the sky, yet leading me ever onwards. Alys,
sweetheart, I have waited long, but tell me I have not waited in vain.
Hope has sprung up in my heart of late. Sweet Alys, dost thou love me?"
A beautiful light leaped into her eyes. She put out a hand and laid it
upon his.
"I think I have loved thee always, Leofric," she said.
THE END.
* * * * *
HISTORICAL TALES
BY E. Everett-Green.
A CLERK OF OXFORD, and His Adventures in the Barons' War.
THE YOUNG PIONEERS; or, With La Salle on the Mississippi.
IN TAUNTON TOWN. A Story of the Days of the Rebellion of James, Duke of
Monmouth, in 1685.
SHUT IN. A Tale of the Wonderful Siege of Antwerp in the Year 1585.
THE LOST TREASURE OF TREVLYN. A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot.
IN THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. A Tale of the Times of the Black Prince.
LOYAL HEARTS AND TRUE. A Story of the Days of Queen Elizabeth.
THE CHURCH AND THE KING. A Tale of England in the Days of Henry VIII.
TOM TUFTON'S TRAVELS.
DOMINIQUE'S VENGEANCE. A Story of France and Florida.
THE SIGN OF THE RED CROSS. A Tale of Old London.
EVIL MAY-DAY. A Story of 1517.
IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES.
THE LORD OF DYNEVOR. A Tale of the Times of Edward the First.
THE SECRET CHAMBER AT CHAD.
_Published by_
T. Nelson and Sons, London, Edinburgh, and New York.
* * * * *
Library of Historical Tales.
Dorothy Arden. A Story of England and France Two Hundred Years Ago. By
J. M. Callwell.
_A story of the dragonnades in France in the time of Louis XIV. Also of
the persecutions in England under James II., the Monmouth rebellion, the
Bloody Assize, and the Revolution._
How they Kept the Faith. A Tale of the Huguenots of Languedoc. By Grace
Raymond.
"_No finer, more touchingly realistic, and truthfully accurate picture
of the Languedoc Huguenots have we met._"--Aberdeen Free Press.
The Lost Ring. A Romance of Scottish History in the Days of King James
and Andrew Melville.
"_The plot of the romance is skilfully constructed, the dialogue is
admirable, and the principal actors in the history are portrayed with
great ability._"--U.P. Missionary Record.
The City and the Castle. A Story of the Reformation in Switzerland. By
Annie Lucas, Author of "Leonie," etc.
_Faithfully portrays the state and character of society at the time of
the Reformation (in Switzerland)._
Leonie; or, Light out of Darkness: and Within Iron Walls, a Tale of the
Siege of Paris. Twin Stories of the Franco-German War. By Annie Lucas.
_Two tales, the first connected with the second. One, of country life in
France during the war; the other, life within the besieged capital._
Under the Southern Cross. A Tale of the New World. By the Author of "The
Spanish Brothers," etc.
_A thrilling and fascinating story._
Alison Walsh. A Study of To-Day. By Constance Evelyn.
La Rochelle; or, The Refugees. A Story of the Huguenots. By Mrs. E. C.
Wilson.
Wenzel's Inheritance; or, Faithful unto Death. A Tale of Bohemia in the
Fifteenth Century. By Annie Lucas.
_Presents a vivid picture of the religious and social condition of
Bohemia in the fifteenth century._
Helena's Household. A Tale of Rome in the First Century.
The Spanish Brothers. A Tale of the Sixteenth Century. By the Author of
"The Dark Year of Dundee."
The Czar. A Tale of the Time of the First Napoleon. By the Author of
"The Spanish Brothers," etc.
_An interesting tale of the great Franco-Russian war in 1812-18; the
characters partly French, partly Russian._
Arthur Erskine's Story. A Tale of the Days of Knox. By the Author of
"The Spanish Brothers," etc.
_The object of the writer of this tale is to portray the life of the
people in the days of Knox._
Pendower. A Story of Cornwall in the Reign of Henry the Eighth. By M.
Filleul.
_A tale illustrating in fiction that stirring period of English history
previous to the Reformation._
T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.
* * * * *
"Living to Purpose" Series.
General Grant's Life. (From the Tannery to the White House.) Story of
the Life of Ulysses S. Grant: his Boyhood, Youth, Manhood, Public and
Private Life and Services. By William M. Thayer, Author of "From Log
Cabin to White House," etc. With Portrait, Vignette, etc. Reprinted
complete from the American Edition.
Success in Life. A Book for Young Men. With Plates.
_The great principles of action which, under God, secure "success in
life"--perseverance, industry, integrity, economy, etc.--illustrated by
many examples._
"_Yet There is Room._"
Loving Work in the Highways and Byways. By Lady Hope, Author of "Our
Coffee-Room," "Changed Scenes," etc.
"_It is a volume calculated to stimulate home missionary zeal, and
to suggest spheres of necessity, both spiritual and temporal, that
lie immediately around us waiting the application of the powers
within the Christian Church that have not yet been called into
exercise._"--Christian Leader.
Living to Purpose; or, Making the Best of Life. By Joseph Johnson.
_An earnest, practical book; shows how some of the greatest and most
gifted men of the past have lived, and links counsels to their
examples._
Living in Earnest. Lessons and Incidents from the Lives of the Great and
Good. By Joseph Johnson.
_True "life in earnest" described in its various forms, with counsels as
to study, health, amusement, etc._
Village Missionaries; or, "To Every One His Work." By the Author of "The
Copsley Annals," "Father's Coming Home," etc.
No Cross no Crown. A Tale of the Scottish Reformation. By the Author of
"The Spanish Brothers."
_A tale, more of facts than fiction, of the plague in Dundee, 1564, and
the life and times of George Wishart._
Records of Noble Lives. By W. H. Davenport Adams.
_A most suitable volume for a prize or a present. Its object is to
inspire, by graphic biographical notices of great and good men._
Masters of the Situation; or, Some Secrets of Success and Power. A Book
for Young Men. By William James Tilley, B. D.
"_One of the books which must be read.... Will be invaluable to young
men._"--Sword and Trowel.
The Life and Letters of W. Fleming Stevenson, D.D., Dublin. By his Wife.
With Portrait.
T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.