his just title. Pleased with this reply, the cardinal hastened to consult Ferdinand a second time, and it was settled between them that Francis should immediately enter Navarre, at the head of a strong body of troops. His great-uncle's parting counsel to the cardinal was, that Francis should act with spirit, but speak with mildness The zealous cardinal now returned to his ward in Bearn, and shortly after, Francis Phoebus, escorted by his mother, his uncles, and a small, but well-discipline; army, marched on Navarre. All prospered with him; one only of his nobles, the Count de Lèrins, betrayed. any annoyance at his coming, and even he, finding the king so well supported, went forth to meet him, and with great show of loyalty gave into his hand the keys Pampluna. In this city, 'the right noble, right loyal right heroic,' as she styles herself, Francis of Foix, ww crowned King of Navarre, amid the joyful shouts of his people. His mother's heart leaped for joy at this great triumph, and at the bright prospects opening before her boy. But, alas! the sunshine was soon to vanish, and de shadow of that foul ancestral crime which had placed the crown on his fair, young head, was already stealing darkly over him-darkly, I mean, as regards this present life; as regards the next, our real and better life, we may humbly trust that all was well with him.

Certainly this young prince was endowed by Provi dence with many rare gifts.

'He whose unripe yeares were yet unfit

For thing of weight, or worke of greater care,'

ruled his subjects for a few short months with so much wisdom, that they deemed him a king sent from heaven." He made a progress through the chief places of the kingdom, accompanied by a strong body-guard. Everywhere he held a strict inquiry how the laws were carried out. and this he did in his own person, and with such thought

* Universal History.

By threat

and gravity as astonished all who saw him. ening death to anyone who attempted to revive the factions of Beaumont and Grammont, or to collect a mob by sounding a trumpet or otherwise, he brought his dominions to a surprising degree of peace and order.' Owing to his tender age, all his grants and written engagements were made in the name of his mother, who styled herself Madeleine, Sister and Daughter of France, Princess of Viana, and Tutoress of her well-beloved Son, Francis Phoebus, by the grace of God King of Navarre.'

Several marriages were thought of for the prince, now in his sixteenth year, and amongst others, Ferdinand and Isabella offered him their second daughter, Juana, afterwards their sole surviving child and heiress. This would have been a most useful alliance for Francis, and would have seated him firmly on the throne of Navarre. So, probably, thought Louis XI. for he promptly interfered, and used his fatal power with Madeleine to break off the match. He proposed instead, that Francis should marry another Juana, a young Spanish princess, who had claims on the throne of Castille. This marriage, Louis well knew, would make Ferdinand the enemy of Francis Phoebus for life, and place the young king within his own cruel grasp. He further persuaded Madeleine to remove her son from Pampluna, where Ferdinand had great influence, and to take up her abode with him in his native country of Bearn. The royal family accordingly settled themselves in the Castle of Pau. That of Orthez, we may easily believe, could no longer be a cheerful home for the relatives of the murdered Blanche. The belief long prevailed that her figure was to be seen flitting along the battlements, and her mournful cries might be heard at nightfall among the neighbouring hills, and though these merely the offspring of a heated fancy, they show how deep a gloom hung over the place. At Pau, Francis Phoebus looked tranquilly forward to

rumours were

resuming his studies, happy in his mother's care, the loyalty of his subjects, and the tender love of his sister Katharine. But it was not so ordained. His health suddenly failed; the physicians could neither find a name, nor prescribe a remedy for his disease, which consisted altogether of an inward wasting, without any outward symptom. All historians agree that there were strong reasons to believe he was poisoned, though none venture! absolutely to pronounce by whom. It is related, that on morning a flute was brought to him, and he, being a lover of music, and excelling in it, after a time put the flute to his lips. He had played but a little while, when his sister saw him grow pale; he sighed deeply, and sank to the; ground. From that time he drooped, and on the 30th of January, 1483, breathed his last. Often during his lastillness, he was heard by his attendants to say, 'My king dom is not of this world.'

The Princess Katharine succeeded her beloved brother on the throne of Navarre, and thanks, in a great measure, to the pity and protection of Isabel of Castille, reigned in tolerable quietness for a good many years.

After the death of Isabel, however, Ferdinand was base enough to dispute her right to the kingdom, and actually wrested it! from her, leaving her only her counties of Bearn and Foix. Francis's mother, the broken-hearted Madeleine, soon followed her fair son to the grave.* Olharaquy, the historian of Bearn, has chronicled her touching answer to the message of condolence sent her by Ferdinand of Castille. 'Gentlemen,' she said in a voice broken by an infinity of sobs and tears, 'you find me little able to greet you as you deserve; but you see my woful plight, and the ruin that has come upon me..... Alas! when I think on the calamity which bows me down, I scarce know where I am. Gaston, the brave Gaston, my lord and husband, was torn from me when I had scarcely tasted * See Costello's Bearn and the Pyrennces.

the joy of his sweet companionship; but the dark night of my widowhood was enlightened by the brightness of my Phoebus. Poor desolate mother that I am-in this sad spot he has expired! here, raising his eyes to heaven, he exclaimed, "My kingdom is not of this world!"

'Had we not reason to augur well of him? would he not have healed the wounds of his country, had he lived? He perceived the difficulties, he saw and grasped the clue by which his realm of Navarre might be freed from them, yet, while holding it in his hand, he could say, "This is not the crown I wait for."

'And now what have I to say of the state of Spain, of the health of the King, the Queen, or the Court?

'Go and tell the King of Spain how you found me. Say that my grief and tears but ill permitted me to read the letter with which he has honoured me-and pray him in my name, to continue his friendship to me, while I rest his humble servant.'

(To be continued.)

THE YOUNG STEP-MOTHER.

CHAPTER XII.

F. M. W.

THERE was a messenger at Fairmead parsonage by sunrise on Thursday morning, and by twelve o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Ferrars were stopping their pony-carriage at the gate of Willow Lawn, with many feelings of suspense and anxiety.

Nor did Mr. Kendal's grave brow and depressed manner tend to reassure Winifred as he met her in the hall, although his words were, 'I hope she is doing well.'

He said no more, for the drawing-room door was moving to and fro, as if uneasy on the hinges, and as he made a step towards it, it disclosed a lady with black eyes and pinched features, whom he presented as 'Miss Meadows.'

Well now- -I think-since more efficient-since I leave Mrs. Kendal to better-only pray tell her-my love and my mother's-if I could have been of any use—or shall I remain-could I be of any service, Edmund-not in her room-I would not intrude when-but in the house-if I could be of any further use.'

'Of none, thank you,' said Mr. Kendal, unless you would be kind enough to take home the girls.'

'O Papa!' cried Lucy, 'I've got the keys. You won't be able to get on at all without me. Sophy may go, but I could not be spared.'

'Let it be as you will,' said Mr. Kendal; I only desire that the house should be quiet, and that you should not inconvenience Mrs. Ferrars.'

You will help me, will you not?' said Winifred. smiling, though she did not augur well from this opening scene. May I go soon to Albinia?'

'Presently, I hope,' said Mr. Kendal, with an uneasy glance towards Miss Meadows; she has seen no one as yet, and she was so determined that you could not come till after Christmas, that she will not expect you.'

Miss Meadows began one of her tangled skeins of words, the most tangible of which was excitement; and Mr. Kendal, knowing by long experience that the only chance of a conclusion was to let her run herself down, held his tongue, and she finally departed.

Then he evidently breathed more freely, and at once said he would go and prepare Albinia to see her sister, desiring Lucy in the meantime to show Mrs. Ferrars to her room, and to take care not to talk upon the stairs.

This Lucy, who was in high glory, obeyed by walking upon creaking tip-toe, apparently borrowed from her aunt, and whispering at a wonderful rate about her eagerness to see dear, dear Mamma, and the darling little brother.

The spare room did not look at all expectant of guests,