12
from earth, she was suddenly called to confession; she met Father Ambrose with a cheerful air, and was about to address him, when he cried, "Be pacified, good daughter; another hour the church will hear your errors—I have much of import to reveal to you—I see you here in sorrow, as yet a novice in the holy house, and my religious function bids me warn ye not to mock Heaven with a feigned love;—your thoughts stray still in earth—is it not so?"
"Alas! my Father," replied Rosamond, "such has been my weakness, but time———"
"I speak not thus to chide you. Heaven delights not in constrained vows; and there are duties yet on earth which you may still fulfil, wherein your days may pass as holily as here—there's one has wooed thee, maiden; and I have listened to his exhortations to bear thee this." So saying, he put a scroll into her hands, and she read as follow:—
"Beloved of my soul,—Remember your vow—tell me by the friar, if thou wilt be mine, and I will deliver thee. He who bears thee this doth wish us well, and may be trusted,—Your wretched lover,—Henry."
