former was saying:

"And thou dost say she is extremely beautiful? In what particular is
this queen of thine so entrancing, is it in face or form?"

"Her face is divine, and her form ravishes one with delight."

"She is indeed fortunate to be such a goddess. If she is a
lady-in-waiting to the Royal suite she will depart to-morrow!" and
there was relief in the supposition. Constance continued: "I saw my
kinsman's list of invitation, and among them all there was not one
fitting thy description of this paragon, Adrian!"

"She had the bearing of a princess; she must be a person of note!"

"Adrian,"--and she grasped his arm tightly,--"dost think, thou knowing
the ways of men, Cedric could have some bright being here to keep
him from the dumps, and when guests are present, hides her in some
remoteness?" There was more in Constance' meaning than what she said.

"Nay, nay, any man would be proud to--yet, if Cedric loved he would be
very jealous!"

"Thinkest thou so?"

"I am positive. To-morrow, Constance, I will watch the departure of
the guests, and, if I find not the maid, I will let thee know, and we
will pounce upon my Lord Cedric and have him bring her to our notice."

"Nay, Adrian, I'll tell thee a better way. If she departs not with the
company to-morrow, I will search the castle and find her; for I know
every cranny. I will bring about a meeting, so thou mayest beau her
privately and win her love before Cedric knows aught; 'twill be a
grand joke to play upon him, and 'twill pay him back for trying to
hide from us the gem of his castle." They looked into each other's
eyes but an instant, and they each understood the other.

"'Tis a compact, Constance. 'Twill be sweet to meet her in secret.
God grant she may be a member of my lord's household!" Like a prayer
Constance uttered after him, as they traversed the room to the great
stairway,--"God grant it may not be so!"

"Unlike Hamlet's prayer, their words and thoughts both fly up, and to
such a prayer they will undoubtedly receive an answer; but whether
'twill be satisfactory to the one or the other, remains to be seen,
as the destination of their supplications was a long way this side of
heaven--" said Janet, as she wrapped her mistress in her grey convent
cape and led her without the gallery.

"Is it possible I was the object of discussion, Janet?"

"'Tis probable. The first trophy thou hast gained without appearing
upon the field."

"And what is that?"