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Whatever we may think of the peculiar way in which her life was
spent； however we may regard the story of her troubles with her
conscience； her understanding of what she deemed her duty； and
her sinking of what might have been a happy and joyous life in
the solitude and severity of a convent； we cannot but think of
her as one who wished to do right； and who desired above all else
to benefit the world in which she lived and labored。 Her story is
that of a most extraordinary and remarkable woman； who devoted
her life to what she deemed the thing demanded of her。 Could we
not； all of us； profitably attempt to live in something like a
kindred spirit to that helpful and unselfish one that actuated
this girl of the Spanish sierras？
〃Here and there is born a Saint Theresa；〃 says George Eliot；
〃foundress of nothing； whose loving heart…beats and sobs after an
unattained goodness tremble off and are dispersed among
hindrances； instead of centring in some long…recognizable deed。〃
But if a girl or boy； desiring to do right； will disregard the
hindrances； and not simply sit and sob after an unattained
goodnessif； instead； they will but do the duty nearest at hand
manfully and well； the reward will come in something even more
desirable than a 〃long…recognizable deed。〃 It will come in the
very self…gratification that will at last follow every act of
courtesy； of friendliness； and of self…denial； and such a life
will be of more real value to the world than all the deeds of all
the crusaders； or than even the stern and austere charities of a
Saint Theresa。
ELIZABETH OF TUDOR：
THE GIRL OF THE HERTFORD MANOR。
＇Afterward Queen Elizabeth of England； the 〃Good Queen Bess。〃＇
A。D。 1548。
The iron…shod hoofs of the big gray courser rang sharply on the
frozen ground； as； beneath the creaking boughs of the long…armed
oaks； Launcelot Crue； the Lord Protector's fleetest courser…man；
galloped across the Hertford fells or hills； and reined up his
horse within the great gates of Hatfield manor…house。
〃From the Lord Protector；〃 he said； and Master Avery Mitchell；
the feodary；＇1＇ who had been closely watching for this same
courser…man for several anxious hours； took from his hands a
scroll； on which was inscribed：
＇1＇ An old English term for the guardian of 〃certain wards of the
state；〃 young persons under guardianship of the government。
〃To Avery Mitchell； feodary of the Wards in Herts； at Halfield
House。 From the Lord Protector； THESE：〃
And next； the courser…man； in secrecy； unscrewed one of the
bullion buttons on his buff jerkin； and taking from it a scrap of
paper； handed this also to the watchful feodary。 Then； his
mission ended； he repaired to the buttery to satisfy his lusty
English appetite with a big dish of pasty； followed by ale and
〃wardens〃 （as certain hard pears； used chiefly for cooking； were
called in those days）； while the cautious Avery Mitchell；
unrolling the scrap of paper； read：
〃In secrecy； THESE： Under guise of mummers place a half…score
good men and true in your Yule…tide maskyng。 Well armed and
safely conditioned。 They will be there who shall command。 Look
for the green dragon of Wantley。 On your allegiance。 This from ye
wit who。〃
Scarcely had the feodary read； re…read； and then destroyed this
secret and singular missive； when the 〃Ho！ hollo！〃 of Her Grace
the Princess' outriders rang on the crisp December air； and there
galloped up to the broad doorway of the manor…house； a gayly
costumed train of lords and ladies； with huntsmen and falconers
and yeomen following on behind。 Central in the group； flushed
with her hard gallop through the wintry air； a young girl of
fifteen； tall and trim in figure； sat her horse with the easy
grace of a practised and confident rider。 Her long velvet habit
was deeply edged with fur； and both kirtle and head…gear were of
a rich purple tinge； while from beneath the latter just peeped a
heavy coil of sunny； golden hair。 Her face was fresh and fair； as
should be that of any young girl of fifteen； but its expression
was rather that of high spirits and of heedless and impetuous
moods than of simple maidenly beauty。
〃Tilly…vally； my lord；〃 she cried； dropping her bridle…rein into
the hands of a waiting groom； 〃 't was my race to…day； was it
not？ Odds fish； man！〃 she cried out sharply to the attendant
groom； 〃be ye easier with Roland's bridle there。 One beast of his
gentle mettle were worth a score of clumsy varlets like to you！
Well； said I not right； my Lord Admiral； is not the race fairly
mine； I ask？〃 and； careless in act as in speech； she gave the
Lord Admiral's horse； as she spoke； so sharp a cut with her
riding whip as to make the big brute rear in sudden surprise； and
almost unhorse its rider； while an unchecked laugh came from its
fair tormentor。
〃Good faith； Mistress；〃 answered Sir Thomas Seymour； the Lord
High Admiral； gracefully swallowing his exclamation of surprise；
〃your ladyship hath fairly won； and； sure； hath no call to punish
both myself and my good Selim here by such unwarranted
chastisement。 Will your grace dismount？〃
And； vaulting from his seat； he gallantly extended his hand to
help the young girl from her horse； while； on the same instant；
another in her train； a handsome young fellow of the girl's own
age； knelt on the frozen ground and held her stirrup。
But this independent young maid would have none of their
courtesies。 Ignoring the outstretched hands of both the man and
boy； she sprang lightly from her horse； and； as she did so； with
a sly and sudden push of her dainty foot； she sent the kneeling
lad sprawling backward； while her merry peal of laughter rang out
as an accompaniment to his downfall。
〃Without your help； my lordswithout your help； so please you
both；〃 she cried。 〃Why； Dudley；〃 she exclaimed； in mock surprise；
as she threw a look over her shoulder at the prostrate boy； 〃are
you there？ Beshrew me； though； you do look like one； of goodman
Roger's Dorking cocks in the poultry yonder； so red and ruffled
of feather do you seem。 There； see now； I do repent me of my
discourtesy。 You； Sir Robert； shall squire me to the hall； and
Lord Seymour must even content himself with playing the gallant
to good Mistress Ashley〃； and； leaning on the arm of the now
pacified Dudley； the self…willed girl tripped lightly up the
entrance…steps。
Self…willed and thoughtlesseven rude and hoydenishwe may
think her in these days of gentler manners and more guarded
speech。 But those were less refined and cultured times than these
in which we live； and the rough； uncurbed nature of 〃Kinge Henrye
the viii。 of Most Famous Memorye；〃 as the old chronicles term the
〃bluff King Hal；〃 reappeared to a noticeable extent in the person
of his second child； the daughter of ill…fated Anne Boleyn 〃my
ladye's grace〃 the Princess Elizabeth of England。
And yet we should be readier to excus