CHAPTER VI.
"Mama," said Mary, one evening, "I have been reading a story to-day, which shall be my picture to-night. You must imagine a court of law, the judge raised on a high seat with all the lawyers round him; he looks sad yet firm. Before him stands a royally dressed young man in the act of drawing his sword, his face beaming with anger, and a haughty defying look on his proud mouth. Officers of justice are securing him, and another prisoner stands near."
"Was the prisoner old or young, Mary?" asked Louisa.
"Young," was the answer.
"Was it Charles I.?"
"No. Charles I. was forty-nine years of age when he was tried, and I do not think he offered any resistance."
"I have it," said Emily; "but, Mary, how was the prince royally drest?"
"He wore a tight waistcoat with a loose robe over it, and a richly embroidered girdle, from which hung a bag."
"I have heard," said Mrs. Macdonald, "that on one occasion your prince was said to have been dressed in a blue satin robe full of eylet holes, and from each hole hung the needle with which it was worked; but I am happy to say that if gentlemen's dress be less graceful in the present day, it is at any rate less effeminate and fantastical."
"But how did the ladies dress?" asked Annie.
"High head-dresses with long streamers of ribbon floating from them, short waists, long, full, flowing petticoats trimmed with fur, and large sleeves ending in a pouch, which was used as a pocket. Their dresses were made of silk or stuff, but the poorer classes wore coarse flannel or fustian. But, Edward, it is a long time since you have described a picture; it is your turn now."
"My picture," he answered, after a few moments' deliberation, "is of a field of battle seen under the grey sky of morning. No very large number of men is disposed so as to look as numerous as possible; the archers are in front, whilst before them are placed sharp stakes pointed with iron. A kingly figure rides up and down the line, clad in glittering armour, and wearing a crown of gold ornamented with precious stones. The opposite party appears much more numerous."
"Are they French and English?" asked Willie.
"That is rather a leading question," answered Edward; "but if you think they may be, name the battle to which I refer."
"Creci?"
"No."
"Poictiers?"
"No."
"Then I know what it must be," exclaimed Mary; "one of the French leaders was killed early in the day, after which they made no more resistance, and the English became victorious. Now, Annie, it is your turn."
Annie then described a parliament, where grave men were listening to a gentleman who held in his arms a little baby, who plays with the royal ball; he also holds papers sealed with large seals.
"Did not the baby cry when he saw all those gentlemen?" asked Alfred.
"He does not cry in my picture," answered Annie; "he looks very good, and almost as if he were listening to what was being said around him."
This subject was guessed, and Mrs. Arabin proceeded to describe "a besieged town, surrounded by the besiegers; at the head of whom, mounted on a charger, is a young woman apparently about twenty-seven years of age. Look well in her face: you see no want of courage there, yet no masculine coarseness—a calm dignity pervades her countenance. She wears a helmet, a sword is by her side, and she carries a white standard on which is depicted the Virgin Mary. But I need not go on, for I see by your faces that you have already guessed my heroine. When you are a little more advanced in German, Edward, you must read Schiller's beautiful play founded on this history."
"Was she not burnt as a witch?" enquired Mary.
"That is a disputed point," answered her aunt; "some writers say this was her fate at Rouen, but others state that she returned to her native village, Domrenci, and married."
"I hope she did," added Emily; "but do you think, mama, there are such people as witches?"
"No, my love," replied Mrs. Arabin; "only the ignorant and superstitious believe in them; and in former days, when there was less knowledge, and above all, less knowledge of true religion, such a belief was very common. Some persons in Dorsetshire and in Lincolnshire, are foolish enough to credit their existence even now."
"May I tell a story, mama?" asked Willie.
"Certainly, my child."
"Well, then, you must fancy a small dark room with but little furniture in it, the cold stone walls plainly telling us that the royal person in the midst of the group is a prisoner. He is preparing to undress, whilst attendants are taking the head off an immense butt of liquid; it looks like wine, for the man nearest to the cask appears as if he would like a little very much."
"Perhaps he would," remarked Mary; "but I think your hero soon had more than he liked."
"Mary has guessed," said Willie. "Louisa, you never tell any stories; do try and relate something very pretty."
"Something more about little babies," added Alfred.
"That is rather hard," said Louisa, "for little babies have not often much to do in history or pictures either; but I think I can tell you a very shocking story about two little boys, who were one night fast asleep in bed, in a large room. Two men carrying lanterns have crept softly up to them, and are just putting the pillows and bolsters over their poor little faces."
"Oh! do not tell me any more about that story," interrupted Alfred; "tell me about soldiers again. I do not like it," he added, nestling his head on his mama's shoulder. "Miss Graham told me that story in the school-room one day, and I cried; I could not help it, mama."
"If that story be really true, it is indeed shocking," said Mrs. Macdonald; "but I believe the mode of the little princes' death is very much questioned: however, it is certain that their wicked uncle did make away with them in some manner."
"Mama, I should not like to have the world for my own," added Alfred, "if there were such wicked people in it; they might come and smother me in my little bed."
1. Prince Henry and Chief Justice Gascoigne. A.D. 1405.
2. Battle of Agincourt. October 24th, 1415.
3. Earl of Warwick presenting Henry VI. to the Parliament. A.D. 1422.
4. Joan of Arc before Orleans. May 8th, 1429.
5. Death of the Duke of Clarence. A.D. 1478.
6. Murder of the Princes in the Tower. A.D. 1483.