“Saidst thou, Alice,” asked the old man, after a short silence, “that before six weeks have passed away, we may be freed from this prison-house?”
“Yes, even so; and I have this day sent my infant in advance of us.”
“The Lord hath indeed been gracious to us, my daughter. Let us arise at once and give thanks to his holy name.”
At these words they arose together, after the manner of their sect, and in an earnest, pathetic tone, the voice of the aged Puritan ascended to Heaven. No palace-halls or brilliant ball-rooms, or garden walks, or trellised bowers have ever shown so interesting a pair—no festive scenes, or gorgeous revels, or glittering orgies ever rose upon so beauteous an hour as did the captive’s cell in that season of prayer!
——
CHAPTER VII.
A lovely child she was, of looks serene,
And motions, which, on things indifferent shed
The grace and gentleness from whence they came.
Shelley.