" I have counted them over, one by one," replied the princess, calmly. "Thou hast thought of the dangers of the sea, perhaps, but rememberest thou the dreadful pestilence ?—the hor-rors that Queen Margaret told ?—how the leeches cut away tlie gums and cheeks of the sufferers, that they might swal-low a drop of water to ease their torments?" " I remember all—I have considered well," returned the princess. " And this also do I know, that nothing ought to part those whom God hath joined ; and the way to heaven is as near, if not nearer, from Syria as from England, or my native Spain." " Then I go with thee," said Eva, throwing herself at the feet of Eleanora, and pressing her lips upon her hand, "for if God hath not joined me to thee, he hath left me alone in the world. Thou hast been to me more than Nao-mi, and I shall not fail to thee in the duty of Ruth. "Where thou goest I will go, where thou diest I will die, and there will I be buried. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. The poor, lone Eva, whose mother lieth in the deep, deep sea, and whose father is perchance a wan-derer or an outlaw, shall no more strive to veil the sadness of her orphan heart by the false smiles and assumed gaiety that grieve her truest, only friend. Henceforth I will learn the lesson thou hast, with such gentle patience and sweet example, ever strove to teach me." Eleanora mingled her tears with those of the impassioned maiden, and, anxious to end-the painful scene, said, "Thou shalt go with me, love, to danger, and perhaps to death, since such is thine election ; but what answer shall Edward return to Sir Warrenne Bassingbourn ?" " Let my lord assure Sir Warrenne," said she, rising proudly, " that Eva de la Mer is not insensible of the honor he intends, but that she will never add the shamrock to a knight's escutcheon, till she knows by what title she claims the emblem." - ELEANORA. 379