dy?"

"Who doth dare inveigle me from the protection of my cousin, Lord
Cedric?"

"I, my lady; a simple gentleman of his Grace of Monmouth's suite,--and
at his order."

"Ah--" 'twas long drawn and somewhat smacked of satisfaction. "Who is
this female?"

"Is she not thine?"

"Nay, not mine. She doth play the hocus," said her ladyship.

"Who art thou, then, woman; how came yonder door to pamper thy whim?"
The surprised guardsman rapped smartly upon the window, then pulling
it up leant out and asked for a torch. As there were none a-light,
he waited some moments; as he did so, there came an answer from the
figure opposite,--

"I am Mistress Penwick's waiting-woman." The answer was satisfactory
to the guard.

"'Tis Janet, as I live," interrupted Lady Constance. She was not sorry
to have a companion of her own sex, and Janet would make herself
generally useful, if the ride was long and her ladyship should fall
ill, as she was certain to do. She knew also Janet's motive for
following her. She was interested in nothing but her mistress.

As the road seemed rough and endless, Constance became anxious of her
destination and began to inquire, as if in great anger, why she
was thus taken and for what purpose. All questions being answered
perfunctorily, she relaxed into silence. At last she asked broadly,--

"Where are we to stop for refreshment, man; I am near dead with
fatigue?"

"We stop at Hornby's Inn, my lady, there to meet his Grace."

Janet sat quiet, nor did she speak again until she stood before
Mistress Penwick at the inn, where she sailed in as if nothing in the
world had happened, but inwardly she fairly wept with joy to find her
nurseling happy and unharmed.

The rain was falling heavily as Lady Constance entered the room where
sat Katherine with the two Dukes. Dawn seemed to have gone back into
night, for 'twas so dark candles twinkled brightly and lighted up the
maiden's face as she spun a story of convent ghosts. Hate flung open
gates through her ladyship's eyes and fell a battery upon Katherine's
face. 'Twas but a thrust of a glance, but their Graces noted it as
they arose to greet her. Katherine was answering in an undertone
Janet's questions as Monmouth spoke aside to her Ladyship. Constance
was not to be delayed, even by his Grace, and she hastened to the
table and greeted Katherine as Lady Cantemir.

"Nay, not so!" said the maid; whereupon Constance gasped, covering
her defeat by a great sh