In a sweet and thrilling voice, and with a composed mien which
indicates rather the absorbing sense of august duty than an
absence of emotion, THE QUEEN announces her accession to the
throne of her ancestors, and her humble hope that divine
providence will guard over the fulfilment of her lofty trust.
The prelates and captains and chief men of her realm then
advance to the throne, and kneeling before her, pledge their
troth, and take the sacred oaths of allegiance and supremacy.
Allegiance to one who rules over the land that the great
Macedonian could not conquer; and over a continent of which
even Columbus never dreamed: to the Queen of every sea, and of
nations in every zone.
It is not of these that I would speak; but of a nation nearer
her foot-stool, and which at this moment looks to her with
anxiety, with affection, perhaps with hope. Fair and serene,
she has the blood and beauty of the Saxon. Will it be her
proud destiny at length to bear relief to suffering millions,
and with that soft hand which might inspire troubadours and
guerdon knights, break the last links in the chain of Saxon
thraldom?
END OF THE FIRST BOOK
BOOK II
Book 2 Chapter 1
The building which was still called MARNEY ABBEY, though
remote from the site of the ancient monastery, was an
extensive structure raised at the latter end of the reign of
James the First, and in the stately and picturesque style of
that age.
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