A ray, from her patron saint belike,
darting through the eastern oriel, came full upon her dark and glowing
eye. She turned towards the stranger, but in a moment her head was bent
as lowly as before, and the ray had lost its power. Rodolf suddenly
retreated. Passing through a side door, he left the church, directing
his steps towards the low and dark corridors of the college. Near the
entrance to his chamber, on a narrow bench, sate a well-caparisoned page
tuning his lute. His attire was costly, and his raiment all redolent
with the most fragrant perfume. This youth, when very young, was sent
over as the companion, or rather at that time as the playmate of his
master. He was now dignified with the honourable title of page, and his
affection for Rodolf was unbounded.
"Boy," said the cavalier, something moodily, "come into the chamber.
Stay--fetch me a sack-posset, prythee. I am oppressed, and weary with my
morning's ramble."
Now the boy did marvel much at his master's sudden return, but more
especially at the great fatigue consequent on that short
interval;--knowing, too, that a particularly copious and substantial
breakfast had anticipated his departure.
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