Swans in the Mist

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ...said, half to herself; but her sons knew what she meant. Amyass warlike life, honourable and righteous as she knew it to be, she had borne as a sad necessity: but that Frank as well should become " a man of blood," was more than her gentle heart could face at first sight. That one youthful duel of his he had carefully concealed from her, knowing her feeling on such matters. And it seemed too dreadful to her to associate that gentle spirit with all the ferocities and the carnage of a battlefield. " And yet," said she to herself, " is this but another of the self-willed idols which I must renounce one by one?" And then, catching at a last hope, she answered--" Frank must at least ask the queens leave to go; and if she permits, how can I gainsay her wisdom?" And so the conversation dropped, sadly enough. But now began a fresh perplexity in Franks soul, which amused Amyas at first, when it seemed merely jest, but nettled him a good deal when he found it earnest. For Frank looked forward to asking the queeus permission for his voyage with the most abject despondency and terror. Two or three days passed before he could make up his mind to ask for an interview with her; and he spent the time in making as much interest with Leicester, Hatton, and Sidney, as if he were about to sue for a reprieve from the scaffold. So said Amyas, remarking, further, that the queen could not cut his head off for wanting to go to sea. " But what axe so sharp as her frown?" said Frank in most lugubrious tone. Amyas began to whistle in a very rude way. " Ah, my brother, you cannot comprehend the pain of parting from her." " No, I cant. I would die for the least hair of her royal head, God bless it but I could live very well from now till Doomsday without ever...