6. Edward VI. and Bishop Latimer. A.D. 1553. CHAPTER VIII. Mrs. Arabin commenced this evening's entertainment, and described as follows: "A young lady, with an intellectual countenance, seated in the midst of books, some of which appear to be written in Greek characters. She is evidently weeping bitterly, and two men dressed in black are apparently talking to her, and showing her some papers." "Was she beautiful?" asked Emily. "Yes." "Mary, Queen of Scots?" guessed one. "No." "Catherine of Aragon?" "No." A pause ensued; at last Mrs. Arabin was asked to give them some little clue to the history. "She was famed for her learning; indeed, so much so as to be styled by historians, the wonder the age." "She and her husband were shortly afterwards beheaded, were they not?" demanded Edward. "Quite right," was the reply. Mrs. Macdonald then began: "On a large open space, surrounded by ancient buildings, is assembled a large crowd of persons, some of whom appear to be preparing wood for burning around two stakes, placed at some distance from each other. Near the one stands a very aged, white-haired man with a Bible in his hand; he who stands near the other pile is younger in appearance, but they both wear an expression of calmness and resignation; indeed there is almost a look of joy in the elder man's countenance. A person dressed in black has ascended some elevated position to preach to them, and the younger victim is paying evident attention to his discourse." "Was Archbishop Cranmer one of the sufferers, mama?" asked one little voice. "No." "Hooper or Ridley?" suggested Edward. "No; after their death." "Then I think I know who they were," said Annie; "but did only bishops suffer?" "No, my dear; besides five bishops, there were twenty-one clergymen, eight lay gentlemen, eighty-four tradesmen, a hundred husbandmen, fifty-five women, and four children." "Had four children the courage to go through such pains for their religion?" "Yes, my love, but not in their own strength; their weak bodies and minds would have flinched, had they not been strengthened from above. We could all of us go through much more than we think ourselves capable of, if we did but seek for help from God; and if we try to go on alone, without looking to Him, no wonder that we fail." Edward next began. "My picture represents a very, very small room, almost a closet; its one window faces the door. Here a very beautiful woman is sitting at supper with a foreign-looking man and some of her attendant ladies, and a guitar lies near them. The principal lady looks much agitated, for some figures have cautiously advanced to the back of her favorite, and, with daggers in their hands, are trying to pull him from his seat." Edward's description was soon guessed by even the younger children, who were well pleased at having an opportunity of shewing their learning.