CONTENTS. PAGE 1, 93, 185, 277, 369, 461 23, 156, 248, 345, 441, 508 60, 143, 238, 330, 413, 527 72, 132, 224 77, 171, 264, 354, 447, 537 VALDARNO; OR, THE ORDEAL OF ART-WORSHIP CHURCH-GOERS AND CHARITABLE INDIVIDUALS. BY E. P. RowSELL, ESQ. . 117 TOMBSTONES AND BURIAL-PLACES OF THE GERMANS THEATRES, PRO AND CON. BY E. P. ROWSELL, ESQ. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK. XIV. GUY FAWKES LAYING THE TRAIN XV. GUY FAWKES ARRESTED BY SIR THOMAS Knevet anD TOPCLIFFE . 116 XVI. GUY FAWKES INTERROGated by KING JAMES THE FIRST. XVII. GUY FAWKES SUBSCRIBING HIS EXAMINATION AFTER THE TORTURE. 289 GUY FAWKES. An Historical Romance. BY W. HARRISON AINSWORTH, ESQ. ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK. BOOK II. CHAPTER VIII. THE JAILER'S DAUGHTER. As Viviana set foot on those fatal stairs which so many have trod, and none without feeling that they took their first step towards the scaffold, she involuntarily shrank backward. But it was now too late to retreat; and she surrendered her hand to Topcliffe, who assisted her up the steps. Half-a-dozen men-at-arms, with a like number of warders, bearing torches, were present; and as it was necessary that Topcliffe should deliver his warrant into Sir William Waad's own hands, he committed his prisoner to the warders, with instructions to them to take her to the guard-room near the Byward Tower, while he proceeded to the lieutenant's lodgings. It was the first time Viviana had beheld the terrible pile in which she was immured, though she was well acquainted with its history, and with the persecutions which many of the professors of her faith had endured within it during the recent reign of Elizabeth; and as the light of the torches flashed upon the gray walls of the Bloody Tower, and upon the adjoining ramparts, all the dreadful tales she had heard rushed to her recollection. But having recovered the first shock, the succeeding impressions were powerless in comparison, and she accompanied the warders to the guard-room without expressing any outward emotion. Here a seat was offered her, and, as the men considerately withdrew, she was able to pursue her reflections unmolested. They were sad enough, and it required all her firmness to support her. When considering what was likely to befall her in consequence of her adherence to the fortunes of Fawkes and his companions, she had often pictured some dreadful situation like the present, but the reality far exceeded her worst anticipations. She had deemed herself equal to any emergency, but, as she thought upon the dark menaces of the Earl of Salisbury, she felt it would require greater fortitude than she had hitherto displayed to bear her through her trial. Nor were her meditations entirely confined to herself. While trembling for the perilous situation of Guy Fawkes, she reproached herself that she could not requite even in thought the passionate devotion of Humphrey Chetham. "What matters it now," she thought, "that I cannot love him? I shall soon be nothing to him, or to any one. And yet I feel I have done him wrong, and that I should be happier if I could requite his attachment. But the die is cast. It is too late to repent, or to retreat. My heart acquits me of having been influenced by any unworthy motive, and I will strive to endure the keenest pang without a murmur." Shortly after this, Topcliffe returned with Sir William Waad. On their entrance Viviana arose, and the lieutenant eyed her with some curiosity. He was a middle-aged man, tall, stoutly built, and having harsh features, stamped with an expression of mingled cunning and ferocity. His eyes had a fierce and bloodthirsty look, and were overshadowed by thick and scowling brows. Saluting the captive with affected courtesy, he observed, "So you refuse to answer the interrogations of the Privy Council, madam, I understand. I am not sorry for it, because I would have the merit of wringing the truth from you. Those who have been most stubborn outside these walls have been the most yielding within them." "That will not be my case," replied Viviana, coldly. "We shall see," returned the lieutenant, with a significant glance at Topcliffe. Ordering her to follow him, he then proceeded along the ward in the direction of the Bloody Tower, and, passing beneath its arched gateway, ascended the steps on the left, and led her to his lodgings. Entering the habitation, he mounted to the upper story, and, tracking a long gallery, brought her to a small circular chamber in the Bell Tower. Its sole furniture were a chair, a table, and a couch. "Here you will remain for the present," observed the lieutenant, smiling grimly, and placing a lamp on the table. "It will depend upon yourself whether your accommodations are better hereafter." With this he quitted the cell with his attendants, and barred the door outside. Left alone, Viviana, who had hitherto restrained her anguish, suffered it to find vent in tears. Never had she felt so utterly forlorn and desolate. All before her was threatening and terrible, full of dangers real and imaginary; nor could she look back upon her past career without something like remorse. "Oh, that Heaven would take me to itself!" she murmured, clasping her hands in an agony of distress; "for I feel unequal to my trials. Oh, that I had perished with my dear father! For what dreadful fate am I reserved?-Torture!—I will bear it, if I can. But death by the hands of the public executioner-it is too horrible to think of! Is there no way to escape that?" As this hideous thought occurred to her, she uttered a loud and prolonged scream, and fell senseless on the floor. When she recovered it was daylight; and, weak and exhausted, she crept to the |