enchanted at the prospect of so good a match for his slenderly-
portioned daughter, for Dethick was a fair estate, and the Babington
family, though not ennobled, fully equal to a younger branch of the
Talbots. However, Richard had had a less uncomfortable task than his
wife, since the Earl was many degrees more reasonable than the
Countess. He had shown himself somewhat offended at not meeting more
alacrity in the acceptance of his proposal, when Richard had objected
on account of the young gentleman's Popish proclivities; but boldly
declared that he was quite certain that the stripling had been
entirely cured.

This point of the narrative had just been reached when it was
interrupted by a scream, and Cicely came flying into the hall,
crying, "O father, father, stop them! Humfrey and Mr. Babington!
They are killing one another."

"Where?" exclaimed Richard, catching up his sword.

"In the Pleasance, father! Oh, stop them! They will slay one
another! They had their swords!" and as the father was already gone,
she threw herself into the mother's arms, hid her face and sobbed
with fright as scarce became a princess for whom swords were for the
first time crossed. "Fear not! Father will stop them," said the
mother, with confidence she could only keep up outwardly by the
inward cry, "God protect my boy. Father will come ere they can hurt
one another."

"But how came it about?" she added, as with an arm round the
trembling girl, she moved anxiously forward to know the issue.