Mistress Penwick

dawn the tide drew away carrying with it a large vessel upon the dec

see in all nature the reflection of the Christ; the birth of dawn; the presence of the star; these black waters. 'Tis awesome! Listen, Janet, thou must ackno

her laughter; first of all because she felt seasick, and secondly the child's

. I made bold and replied that I thought it required much greater strength to go on the battlefield of the world and be good than live within the impenetrable walls of a cloister where bin cannot come. 'But, child, thou wilt see beautiful things made by the hand of man that will fill thy heart leaving not room for the Divine Presence.' 'Nay,' said I, 'I shall see God's work in every beauteous thing and I shall trust Hi

wert leaving a place where sin was not, to go where it abounded. There is one place, however, we may always be sure of finding the divine atom whether we be in seclusion or abroad; 'tis in our own heart and called before the ages,

tively forbidden us. I lay it to that! I gave myself over to eating to make up for a fast of nine long years. Thou hadst not a qualm because thou hast been fed on wine and porridge and beef gruel and whey. The clearness of thy body speaks for a pure stomach. Let the awfulness of m

atherine expanded until her convent dress became straightened, and she retired to her bed

, and Katherine was apprehensive of the Scot, and as the white cliffs

d; there was such a clamour, 'twas like pandemonium. The poor frightened thing was inclined to believe that the people were mad an

chests and sundry articles of travel were placed upon the coach, the rolling wheels carried them through the town and on beyond, over plains and hills and lonely moors, thr

Here was the first-named, but where was the child? The little man was fearful he had made some mistake, and grew exceedingly n

t some small detail of the visible grandeur might escape her. In a moment more they had stopped at the great entrance, and immediately the ponderous doors were thrown wide by two ugly little dwarfs in magnificent livery. Out trooped other menials of perhaps less age and greater dignity, quickly gathering from the equipage the chests and bags and other articles of less cumbrousness. Mistress Katherine, with J

e, stood within the room assigned to Mistress Katherine. As her eyes fell upon the maid, she stepped back

ld? 'is Ludship sent me to take ch

hine 'hinfant' grown some meat and wine with etceteras, and plenty of them, for she hath a lusty and ever-present appetite. But stay, where wilt thou cradle thy babe's nurse, in this room beyond the closet?" With a superhuman effort, as

turned into guests' rooms,-'is Ludship 'as Royalty beneath 'is roof and bade me take the-the child to th

edstead with tester and outer coverings of flowered chintz. The light from the two sma

h, which ended in a qu

rself back in a hu

sh tongues with a tru

ay give thee

ve brawled it with her. 'Ludship'-'tis the cant of a pot house wench,-'is Ludship' to me, who has been consorti

ds, have my supper-for I'm nearly famished,

st seen! But, Lambkin, I would have thee don thy pretty

ot raise courage. Have

le to thyself. I'll see to it. I thought upon it coming up to this sky-begotten chamber. The toddy would freeze stiff and the pheasants grow to

d her mistress in. The thick rolls of hair framing her face glinted with bronze and amber sheen. Her warm youthful bloo

he gone long ere she came a

signs of pett

asked him the way below. He answered me civilly and conducted me saying the while, that 'twas a grand party his Lord Cedric was having; members of the Royal family being present; he even mentioned the Dukes of Buckingham and Monmouth. The boy was so filled with good sense I am sure, Mistress, he spoke truly and that we are

Janet through intricate win

ugh the servants' pa

ing black hair that fell loose upon his shoulders. In his shapely, white, bejewelled fingers he held a blood-red rose, and as his eyes fell upon the most beautiful face he had ever beheld, he caught his breath and held the rose to his face to hide his devouring glanc

naught but a modest maiden blush. But, Lambkin, his body was not a match for thine; 'tw

Janet bustled about handing things for her mistress' conveni

bird was a pheasant?

things that I would not let thee eat; 'twould

irway was the Duke of Monmouth? He was very hand

tongue as commonly as thou sayest Janet; 'tis

in yonder chamber. 'Tis grand to live in so great a house, 'tis better than-than the conven

. In such case, thou wilt have time to cool thy haste. I will go now. Do not eat too much, Lambkin." Janet looked back admi

Katherine cast her eye about wondering if 'twas so, or, were they Scotch?

red hair, red face, red whiskers, red mustachios, and bandy-legs, petticoats and all; and a tongue ripping out hot oaths. In a moment Katherine was upon her feet, her eyes flashed forth indignation. The keen eyes of the Scot saw her at a glance. He looked, stared, then bent almo

word and gazed with enamoured looks at the amber folds of hair, her glowing face; and with panting

one!" He did not stir nor find breath until she stood forth from the table and he saw her beauteous being from head to dainty toe of conve

not know t

; thou dishonourest the noble plaid thou wearest

one. Tell me who thou

if he knew I held converse with thee thus.

is thy lo

ric of Cr

alance of his days." The maid shrunk further from him in sheer loathing. At the momen

t scanned him for a moment and

er of Sir John Penwick,"

encumbered with emotions of surprise, admiration, wonderment

, laughed in scorn and swept from the room disdaining his commands to remain longer. For a moment he stood st

oudly upon the panelling of the door. A lackey entered trepidated. "Go and bring in haste from Wasson the letter written by Sir John Penwick. Haste thee, mind!" He turned to the table as if the shadow of her being still rested there and spoke the continuation of his thought. "'Tis a bit of paper, Mistress Katherine,

ister clinging about her. I have heard but once of thee, and 'twas that thy young wife died leaving thee without heirs. If such be so, thou wilt find a solace in my baby. Guard her as thine own. I have only enough gold to send her with her nurse to thy protection.' She will be obliged to come to me for all things, and I will spoil my own pleasure by giving her before she asks. 'In my epistle to Janet Wadham I spoke of moneys and estates being in thy hands. 'Tis a lie that will bring to thy mind more vividly than aught else my personality-suppressio veri; but if thou findest a like propensity in my babe, thou wilt deal gently but firmly with her for its correction. I give into thy keeping more than house, lands or titles. I would direct clemency toward my beloved servant; she has proven most faithful. My wife truly loved her and at her child's birth was constantly tended by the vigilant Janet; and 'twas her desire she

he asks, and she shall have it. I love her, love her, my whole being throbs with mad desire. She is the sweetest maid on earth, and I drink fro