ixings for my Lady Penwick. Your Lordship will
see to it at once?" It was a happy suggestion. Cedric leant over
Katherine.

"Come, tell me what thou wilt have from London town? thou shalt have
all thy heart asks for."

"Thou art generous with my belongings." 'Twas an unfriendly cut.

"Come, Mistress, what will thou have, make out a list and I will send
it by a courier."

"I prefer to go myself."

"I have guests and cannot go with thee at the present,--and thou canst
not go without me; but thou shalt have the more for this very cause.
Come, tell me thy heart's desire. Be good to me Kate, I love thee so;
I must tell thee, it cuts me to the quick to have thee so set against
me. Thou wilt espouse me some day, sweet one?" Katherine stood up and
shot a withering glance full upon him.

"Nay, nay, nay,--thou wilt let me go from thee!"

"I beg thy pardon, Mistress Penwick, I will urge thee no more now; but
tell me thy wishes. Thou will have first of all, a beautiful hat with
feathers reaching to thy shoulder-tips, and dainty brocade gowns with
boots of the same hue, and jewelled fans, and ribbons and laces and
all kinds of furbelows, and I will give thee to-day some jewels,
rings, and--"

"And a necklace like Constance has?" put in Katherine, unthinkingly.

"Constance--where didst thou see her?" His voice and manner showed
annoyance. "Where didst see her, Kate?" There was a blush on her face
as she answered,

"At the ball."

"Thou wert not there," he said, incredulously.

"Janet and I looked on from the gallery, and Constance stood beneath
us. 'Twas a beautiful thing that encircled her throat."

"Aye, they were pearls; but thou shalt have a circlet that wilt not so
hide thy pink hued neck. To-day, Kate, I will give thee some gems
and thou shalt go with me to the great chests and see the laces they
contain;--and thy colours, Kate, what are thy favourite colours?"

"I love white and violet." A happy smile covered Cedric's face.

"'Tis my mother's choice and by that I hit upon thy fancy as thou
shalt soon see." Cedric racked his brain for more pleasant things to
say. "And thou shalt have a horse and learn to ride."

"Oh, Janet, to have a horse all my own! 'tis too good to be true; 'tis
a thing I have dreamt of." And the delighted girl flung herself at
Janet's feet and embraced her knees from sheer ecstasy. It seemed
peace had come to stay; and for a moment Cedric looked upon her with
eyes full of admiration and