HILDEBRAND. NEW WORK, BY THE SAME AUTHOR. _Preparing for Publication, in 3 vols. 8vo._, THE OLD TEMPLE: AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE. BY THE AUTHOR OF “HILDEBRAND,” _&c. &c._ “Within the Temple hall we were too loud, The garden here is more convenient.” SHAKSPEARE. LONDON: JOHN MORTIMER, ADELAIDE STREET, TRAFALGAR SQUARE. HILDEBRAND: OR, THE DAYS OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. AN HISTORICAL ROMANCE. BY THE AUTHOR OF “THE KING’S SON.” Frugal and wise, a Walsingham is thine; A Drake, who made thee mistress of the sea, And bore thy name in thunder round the world. Then flamed thy spirit high; but who can speak The numerous worthies of the maiden reign? In Raleigh mark their every glory mix’d; Raleigh, the scourge of Spain! THOMSON. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. III. LONDON: JOHN MORTIMER, ADELAIDE STREET, TRAFALGAR SQUARE. MDCCCXLIV. LONDON: PRINTED BY HENRY RICHARDS, BRYDGES-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN. HILDEBRAND. CHAPTER I. It was on the same evening that closed the preceding chapter of this history, and while the dusk was hardly yet apparent, that the maiden Abigail passed up the principal staircase of the mansion of Master Shedlock, known as New Bethlehem, to a chamber on the upper floor. Whatever might be her reason, she affected to step forward with excessive gentleness; but her shoes, being of the very strongest material, and hobnailed withal, were not the best adapted to give her purpose effect, and, in her way upward, her foot made a heavy stamp at every step. But, judging from the expression of her face, she appeared to be insensible of this, and to consider that her progress was unattended by any intimation of her tread. On reaching the summit of the stairs, she hastened along the passage beyond, on which the stairs opened, to a neighbouring door, leading to an inner chamber. She opened the door with great caution; and after a moment’s pause, as if for the purpose of listening, made a step forward, and passed into the chamber. It was a bed-room, and, from various appearances around, was evidently occupied by an invalid. Indeed, such a person was, on a close survey, observed to be in possession of the bed; and her peculiar head-gear announced her to be a woman. It was Dame Shedlock.