Lady Campbell clasped her hand.
"Thou hast in very truth silenced me, my Isabella," she said; "there is no combating with thoughts as these.

Thine is still the same noble soul, exalted mind that I knew in youth: sorrow and time have had no power on these." "Save to chasten and to purify, I trust," rejoined the countess, in her own calm tone.

"Thrown back upon my own strength, it must have gathered force, dear Mary, or have perished altogether.

But thou speakest, methinks, but too despondingly of our sovereign's prospects--are they indeed so desperate ?" "Desperate, indeed, Isabella.

Even his own family, with the sole exception of that rash madman, Edward, must look upon it thus.