THE abbess of a nunnery, in the county of Suffolk, had a near relation who belonged to the female part of the Duchess of York's houshold. The abbess, falling sick, was permitted to try change of air, and to avail herself of the advice of eminent physicians, residing near the metropolis. / She frequently made excursions to the Tower, to visit her kinswoman, who had apartments in the palace; and so charmed the mother of Edward, by the polished ease and elegance of her manners, that she would frequently stop to converse with her, and was much gratified by the refined sense the abbess displayed, and the profundity of unaffected learning which she discovered.

One day the duchess requested her to grant her half an hour's private conversation; when, after some hesitation, and very visible agitation of mind, the royal mother of Edward addressed her religious guest as follows:

‘I am about to confide to you, Madam, a charge of the utmost importance I have, upon enquiry, found that you / take pensioners into your convent, to receive their education.’

The abbess bowed assent, and the duchess continued.

‘In a remote apartment of this tower, is a beautiful child, dear to this heart, as though she were my own. I take the sole care of her present education; her future fortune heaven only knows! Her birth –’

Here the duchess paused.

‘But why,’ uttered she hastily, and with some confusion, ‘should I treat you with half confidence?’

‘Rest assured,’ said the abbess, ‘whatever confidence your highness may think me worthy of, will never, in the smallest instance, be abused.’ /

‘I believe you,’ said the duchess. 'Know, then, that her birth is not only noble, but royal; and that my angel husband, as the last breach quivered on his lips, faulteringly pronounced a blessing on his beloved Elfrida, than a helpless babe.