"

Margery softly opened the door into the hall; and as softly called the
person who answered to that name. He rose, and came to her, and Sir
Geoffrey and Lord Marnell, who were in low-toned, earnest conversation,
suddenly stopped as she appeared.

"Richard," said Dame Lovell, in what she doubtlessly intended for a
whisper, "I pray thee, good youth, to go in softly, and privily demand
of Sir Ralph what time he list to sup."

Richard executed the order, and, returning, closed the door behind him.

"Sir Ralph saith, good mistress mine, that the Lord Marnell when at home
suppeth not afore six of the clock; but he prayeth you for to sup when
you will, to the which he will without doubt accommodate himself."

"Six of the clock!" cried Dame Lovell, in amazement. "Richard, art sure
thou heardest aright?"

"Certes, good mistress."

Dame Lovell sat in silent horror.

"Well!" said she at length, "if ever in all my days did I hear of a like
thing! Cicely, serve a void in my privy chamber at four of the clock.
This poor country of ours may well go to wrack, if its rulers sup not
afore six of the clock! Dear, dear, dear! I marvel if the blessed
Virgin Saint Mary supped not until six of the clock! May all the saints
forgive us that we be such fools!"

CHAPTER THREE.

COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS BEFORE.

"Ay, sooth we feel too strong in weal to need Thee on that road.
But woe being come, the soul is dumb that crieth not on God."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

The guests departed about seven o'clock, and Dame Lovell got to bed a
little before nine--an hour which was in her eyes most untimely.
Margery, though she had not slept on the previous night, was unable to
close her eyes for some time. The unwonted excitement kept her awake,
and another idea, too, mingled with her thoughts. The book! How should
she copy it? It must be at stolen hours--probably in the night. And
what material should she use? Not vellum, for Sir Geoffrey might ask
what she was doing if she requested more of that precious article than
was necessary for her Breviary. He had allowed her some paper for the
rough draft of her illuminations, and she had a little of this left.
She determined to make use of this paper so far as it would go, and to
trust to circumstances for the remainder.

Thinking and contriving, Margery sank to sleep, and dreamed that Sir
Geoffrey was reading the book to Lord Marnell, who, by that curious
mixt