a private cupboard, of which she alone had
the key, and where she generally kept her jewels, and any little
trinkets on which she set a special value. Margery's next act, I fear,
was indefensible; for it was to throw the cover and pillows of her bed
into confusion, that the maids might suppose it had been occupied as
usual. She then noiselessly unfastened the door, and proceeded with her
dressing, so that when, a few minutes after, Dame Lovell came panting up
the stairs, and lifted the latch, the only thing she noticed was Margery
standing before the mirror, and fastening up her hair with what she
called a pin, and what we should, I suspect, designate a metallic
skewer.

"What, Madge, not donned yet?" was Dame Lovell's greeting. "How thou
hast overslept thyself, girl! Dost know it is already five of the
clock, and thy father and I have been stirring above an hour?"

"Is it so late, of a truth?" asked Margery, in dismay. "I cry you
mercy, good mother!"

And Margery was thinking what excuse she could use by way of apology,
when Dame Lovell's next words set her at rest, as they showed that the
mind of that good lady was full of other thoughts than her daughter's
late rising.

"Grand doings, lass!" said she, as she sat down in the carved arm-chair.
"Grand doings, of a truth, Madge!"

"Where, good mistress mine?"

"Where?" said Dame Lovell, lifting her eyebrows. "Why, here, in Lovell
Tower. Where should they be else? Richard Pynson was so late of
returning from Marston that he saw not thy father until this morrow."

"I heard him come."

"Wert awake?"

"Yea. I was awake a long season!"

"Poor lass!" said her mother. "No marvel thou art late. But harken to
what I was about to tell thee. Sir Ralph Marston and his kinsman the
Lord Marnell, dine with us to-day."

"To-day?"

"Yea, to-day. Dear, dear, dear, dear! What folk must they be that live
in London town! Marry, Sir Ralph sent word by Richard Pynson, praying
us not to dine until one of the clock, for that the Lord Marnell is not
used to it at an earlier hour. I marvel when they sup! I trow it is
not until all Christian folk be a-bed!"

"Dwells the Lord Marnell in London?" inquired Margery, with surprise;
for Margery was more astonished and interested to hear of a nobleman
from London dining with her parents than a modern young lady would be if
told that a Chinese mandarin was expected.

"Yea, truly, in London dwells he, and is of the bedch