Mistress Penwick

bourgeon and bud, and the clinging tendrils upon the castle walls grew heavy and pink with their greedy absorption of carbon dioxide from the warm atmosphere. It seemed the unfolding of nature brough

peared more plausible than the suit of Cantemir, and his Lordship watched Katherine when she was with these two and soon fo

. She made known to Lord Cedric her desires to build up these poor cottages. Without question he doubled the amount of money she asked for, and paid her a large sum for immediate use among the poor. Katherine's heart was touched by his goodness to her, and spoke with more war

continues, we will hav

onderful grace and beauty, and as I stepped among them I saw an ancient sundial; 'tis the first I've yet seen, and I made bold to ask

t thou sugges

as healthy and pr

named a rose, I w

cheek. She came a step nearer and bent toward the table

tful enough for one who wishes to ride well and gayly. I would have one that shakes his head and rattles his bit

he fingers of Katherine as she held them out to him, then turned quickly to the fire and crushed a half-famished ember beneath his heel as he heard her cross the thre

ne of the day was not to stay, for the party from the castle were scarce three miles within the confines of the forest when the s

ll turned quickly save Mistress Penwick and Adrian, who had made the sharp turn and were galloping forward. Cedric bade a lackey ride with all speed to the castle for a coach; and as the anxious group waited, they wondered some

broader road some distance away. The little caravan moved slowly, and before

ied examination gave them encouragement, saying that the duke had

nding danger concerning his kinsman, now felt the full force of his disappointment in Mistress Penwick's absence with Cantemir. He determined to ride forth in que

over of forests and unfrequented highways groups of riotous men of both parties; for the life of him Cedric could

eet; but there was naught save the occasional cracking of twigs as some wild thing jumped from the roadside frightened, or the stir of the high wind in the giant trees. On they rode, and Cedric's heart was first sorry for his kinsman's ills, then-he would rant because Katherine had taken no notice of his importunities, and he swore under his breath in good, round Scotch oaths for his allowing her to go thus long without espousal; and again he looked at the matter dispassionately. She was a very young maid, without the protection of womankind of her own rank or an aged guardian. Then b

he monastery. He halted instantly and dismounted. Throwing the reins to the groom, he crept cautiously forward alone. To his astonishment

three stood upon the threshold. Two of them, Cedric saw, as the light from within fell upon their faces, were noted

mmon order and will do much for the cause; and when she has done this thing, I shall do all I can to withdraw he

case was well-nigh hopeless, and soon it would have been too late, for on

but when thou dost speak of Pen

ording to agreement, and we should ha

in came upon the maid and drove her here. We offered special prayer to Holy Mary this morning. And the youth with her is also of the only religion. Mistress Penwick was greatly frightened of my Lord Cedric; for she would go forth in the heart of th

e and fine parts; and we may be able to use the youth as well-eh?" They s

o leave him. He would not be turned aside again from his purpose, she must come to his terms at once. Then he fretted and fumed, fearing she had fallen under the stormy blast and had take

was grieved when she heard of his Grace's condition, and

t garments, and bathed her in hot and cold baths, and was r

im resting, quietly hastened to his own apart

ry in person, and after swathing her lady in fine

e jewelled-and adjusted them on his white fingers. At his side was a valet, placing fresh sachets filled with civet within false pockets of the satin lining of his lord's waistcoat. The cold, proud gleam from Cedric's dark orbs daunted not Jane

make bold to inform thee of a virulent action that is about to be ma

upon the table; the conversation at the monastery r

rchance now started from the monastery. Didst ever see such beauty?' They halted and dismounted some distance from the open road. Then one said,-''Twill send his Majesty to madness when he sees before him such perfect mould, suing for his most gracious clemency toward our cause.' ''Tis a wonder my lord of Crandlemar does not take such beauty to wife,' said another. 'He may bid her farewell when once her fame reaches the Court; and 'twill be there in less than two days from this hour. Who will remain with the despatches while we find that

him not with a thought of Tyburn Hill. He would burn yonder monastery and all within to ashes for the wind to carry away; and he w

od upon the threshold wit

doctor hath enjoined silence, as holding for

t upon by foul communication I am we

now, as I heard thy voice-indistinctly,

thus annoyed again." He turned and stro

hat maid beside her Lambkin would not be overjoyed to see him so mad with love of her? Who could resist kneeling before him and pleading, and watch his anger take flight; and feel his strong

shall die by the hand of the lowest scullion in the kitchen; for 'twould dishonour a better to mix with blood of swine. And thou wi

to put her in a less windy chamber; the room

her safe w

e it to me

tside, save her Grace, and Angel thou canst rely upon-s

uld refute the idea

sta

thou; art thou also t

d I followed, and as if by accident Lady Constance brought Mistress Katherine to the curtained archway, and she saw thee swaying in thy cups, and after a while my lady led mistress to

st true, or is't t

stress Penwick will tell t

mt it, Janet,-and yet,-I did have like visions!-Thou art right; no one shall see thy mistress, no one, mind, but Angel and her Grace. '

me, m

the windows open for fine air, but let her not go from her

not petition for freedom; she may even bra

e can cut! Dost believe sh

noble lady Innocence that is well aware that thy anger wi

rushes on, will take the prize, whether by foul or fair means;-but nothing can be done to-night. In the meantime I will steel my heart to harsh deeds, and, by God! I will bear out my course. Janet, go now to thy mistress, and should I be d

e to the village, when Janet told her of the imprisonment imposed upon her for safety. S

dy with their equals, are mere braying bumpkins when they have to do with embroidered waistcoats and amorous

and who hath done t

ter, to

nt of such a deed, 'twould be the act of a b

my lord deems the charge most g

Does the matter concern my lord'

is love; 'tis for t

be done; I will see to it. Let m

would not

a man's life? Let me go; I

would send me away

st bring him

ne 'twill love thee with such love;-and for a face and figure-well, thou art surely blind to masculine beauty;-and should his Grace go hence, my lord will be his

ciousness;-but, nurse, I would have thee haste. Tell my lord that I beg his pre

much as smile upon him." At the moment there struck upon Mistress Penwick's ears the tramp of ho

e and trod upon it; but Cedric looked up and saw the anxious face embrazured by ivy-cla

word with th

oaken stairway. It seemed to Mistress Penwick, as she heard his rattling spurs, that 'twas a sound of strength, and she felt a happy, exultant tremour, knowing he

ermit me to inquire s

ion doth not discover, without inquiry, its existence." She was not d

, I beg thou wilt conjoin to justice its semblance

ristopher's cause th

d deeply. "If the King

wouldst thou th

ble to frame a reply,-hence I beg to continue convers

hese supreme moments in thy presence; however, I will repeat the adverb of n

to discontinue c

I be

or servant, and wilt impose such extreme penalt

the dead

lready dead?" and she

t soon w

ame alarmed and threw some tenderness in her voice and spoke soft

oice became more pleading. "'Tis a little thing for thee to grant

order for his despa

r fastenings of his coat and he turned white and trembled and caught her hand within his own a

eady to-hear thy suit renewed-if thou so will it?" His voice vib

y of thy consideration, and I could not grant thee

d finding her pleadings were of no avail, and being angry and annoyed, she broke into tears, knowing of a certainty she would now have her way, even though her

il the morrow?" He hesitated, the

ow, Kate," and