"I mean to find some way to see it," she said, "but not by doing
anything of which to be ashamed."

"Then set your wits to work," said her Fairy, "for wits you will need to
bring that about."

And Maid Sally thought of a plan.

CHAPTER XV.

A COLONIAL BALL

The next Wednesday evening, after singing-school, Maid Sally said to
Master Sutcliff, with many a blush and a queer quaking of the voice:

"I have a great desire to see something of the fine ball, but there
appeareth no way for me to do it."

Master Sutcliff laughed at the courage as well as the frightened,
anxious face of the maid. He next looked thoughtful for a space, and
then said, with nods and bows that made Sally's heart leap:

"I play the violin for the company, and must needs have rosin at hand in
case a string getteth obstinate. And it might beseem me to have some one
nigh to hand me music in the order it must be played."

"Oh, but I can't be seen," cried Maid Sally.

"No more you need, young maid. Many fiddlers will be there, and you can
have a low seat, even on a cricket hard by the bass viol, and though the
players will be on a high platform, you can hide for a little while
behind the big instrument and have a good peep at it all."

"How can I get in?" asked Sally.

"You can enter under the shadow of my wing," said Master Sutcliff, "but
not long had you best remain. At first no one would notice you, but it
might not be easy for you to long hide entirely: we change places once
in a while."

"I will go the moment I am bid," said the maiden.

* * * * *

In very truth all the bliss of Fairy Land opened up to Sally the next
night.

Never before had the maiden had an idea of the glamour, the bewitchment,
the splendor of such a scene.

The costumes, or dresses, the dancing, and courtly manners,--the
manners of those who are about the court of a king,--the music that
thrilled and charmed her, sending all kinds of bright and airy dreams
through her mind, all these sent the blood rushing swiftly through the
veins of the delighted maid as, spell-bound, she peered from behind the
great bass viol.

"Oh, it is heaven, heaven!" she panted, as with great starry eyes she
looked down upon the splendid company. "And I, I could so enjoy it all,
had I only been born to it! Was I born to it? Oh, no, no, it could not
be!"

"Who knows?" faintly asked her Fairy.

But Sally spent not much time in asking longing