esumption, vanity, and
obstinacy in her to appeal to such a precedent.

There was something in this that struck Esclairmonde, for she was
conscious of a certain satisfaction in her plan of being the first to
introduce a Beguinage at Paris, and that she was to a certain degree
proud of her years of constancy to her high purpose; and she looked just
so far abashed that the uncle saw his advantage, and discoursed on the
danger of attempting to be better than other people, and of trying to
vapour in spiritual heights, to all of which she attempted no reply; till
at last he broke up the interview by saying, 'There, then, child; all
will be well. I see you are coming to a better mind.'

'I hope I am, Monseigneur,' she replied, with lofty meekness; 'but
scarcely such as you mean.'

Alice Montagu's indignation knew no bounds. What! was this noble
votaress to be forced, not only to resign the glory of being the
foundress of a new order of beneficence, but to be married, just like
everybody else, and to that wretched little coward? Boemond of Burgundy
was better than that, for he at least was a man!

'No, no, Alice,' said Esclairmonde, with a shudder; 'any one rather than
the Burgundian! It is shame even to compare the Scot!'

'He may not be so evil in himself,' said Alice; 'but with a brave man you
have only his own sins, while a coward has all those other people may
frighten him into.'

'He bore himself manfully in battle,' said the fair Fleming in reproof.

But Alice answered with the scorn that sits so quaintly on the gentle
daughter of a bold race: 'Ay, where he would have been more afraid to run
than to stand.'

'You are hard on the Scot,' said Esclairmonde. 'Maybe it is because the
Nevils of Raby are Borderers,' she added, smiling; and, as Alice likewise
smiled and blushed, 'Now, if it were not for this madness, I could like
the youth. I would fain have had him for a brother that I could take
care of.'

'But what will you do, Esclairmonde?'

'Trust,' said she, sighing. 'Maybe, my pride ought to be broken; and I
may have to lay aside all my hopes and plans, and become a mere serving
sister, to learn true humility. Anyhow, I verily trust to my Heavenly
Spouse to guard me for himself. If the Duke of Burgundy still maintains
Boemond's suit, then in the dissension I see an escape.

'And my father will defend you; and so will Sir Richard,' said Alice,
with complacent certainty in their full efficiency. 'An