Noble Deeds of the World's HeroinesMoore, Henry Charles
History
Noble Deeds of the World's Heroines
Moore, Henry Charles
Women heroes -- Biography
Grizel was now a beautiful young woman, and her gentle manner and
sweetness made her a favourite of all with whom she came into contact.
Two Scotch exiles fell in love with her, but she declined their offers
of marriage, greatly to the surprise of her father, who did not know
that she was the promised wife of another man--George Baillie, son of
his old friend Robert Baillie. George and Grizel had known each other
for many years. George was visiting his father in prison at Edinburgh
when Grizel, to the surprise of both of them, slipped out from a dark
corner and delivered her father's letter.
The bravery of the little girl made a lasting impression on the boy,
and during the troublous years that followed he managed to see her on
several occasions. Each liked the other, and their liking changed to
love long before they were out of their teens. George's estates had
been confiscated, and he was serving as a private in the Prince of
Orange's Guards, where he had for his chum one of Grizel's brothers.
When off duty he was frequently at the Humes' house, and there, one
day, Grizel promised to become his wife. They kept their engagement a
secret, for Grizel did not wish it to be known until the good days,
which she was convinced were in store for Great Britain, arrived.
The good days came at last. The Prince of Orange's troops landed at
Torbay, and the last of the Stuart kings fled from the land he had
misruled. Honours were now conferred upon the men who had suffered at
the hands of Charles II. and James II. Sir Patrick Hume had his
estates restored to him, and was created Lord Polwarth. Six years
later he was made Earl of Marchmont and Lord Chancellor of Scotland.
The queen greatly admired Grizel, and asked her to become one of her
maids of honour, but she declined the offer, as George Baillie, whose
estate had been restored to him, wanted her to fulfil her promise. She
was quite willing to do so, and they were married on September 17, 1692.
In 1703 Lady Hume died. On her death-bed she looked at those standing
around her and asked anxiously 'Where is Grizel?' Grizel, who had been
standing back so that her beloved mother should not see her tears, came
forward at once. 'My dear Grizel,' Lady Hume said, holding her by the
hand, 'blessed be you above all, for a helpful child you have been to
me.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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