ndon gew-gaw lay snug
within, and tore off the wrappings with eager fingers. Her hopes were
not disappointed, and a dainty pair of silver shoebuckles shone in the
sunlight.

"Dear heart alive! surely they are not for me," cried Dolly.

"Read the letter, mistress," said Jeffreys.

A knot of blue ribbon was the only seal on the knight's letter, and the
blushing maiden opened and read; and, as she read, the rich colour of
her cheeks grew ever richer and deeper, and Johnnie pulled his
cap-feather to pieces and watched her. She finished, sighed, looked at
her lover and at the writer's messenger, then, with a "By your leave,
Master Jeffreys," she handed the missive to Johnnie. "Read," she said.

"Nay, why should I?" was the somewhat sheepish response.

"Because I wish it," said Dolly promptly.

"I am bad at reading script; each one hath too much of his own fashion
in the twists and curls of the letters."

"This is as plain as Bible print. Art going to London?"

"No!"

Dolly's face fell. "Hath not Master Jeffreys given thee Sir Walter's
message?"

"Ay, and I have sent back a civil and courteous 'No.' What should I do
in such a place?"

"What a question for a fellow of spirit to ask!" cried Dolly.

"What a question, indeed!" echoed Jeffreys; "and a sweet maid with her
toes tingling to tread the golden pavements! Read, Master Morgan; the
gallant knight's words will speak more persuasively than my poor
tongue."

Johnnie took the letter, and read as follows:--

"To MISTRESSE DAWE. Bye ye hande of my trustie manne, Timothie
Jeffreys--Greetynges to you, faire mistresse, and to youre excellent
and honourable sire.

"To-daye, a softe wind hath come up from ye west, tempering ye heate
and broil of ye towne, and whisperynge to me of cool forest glades and
greene paths bye a rushynge river. Straightwaie closynge mine eyen to
gette a cleare vision of ye same, I am minded of deare friendes whose
feete have kept time with mine along ye shaded wayes. Here, before me
on my table, hathe my servante placed freshe flowres from countrie
hedgerowe and garden, to sweeten the close aire that cometh in from ye
swelterynge streetes. And, straightwaie, I bethinke me how sweete this
olde citie would be if onlie Ye Rose of Dean Forest would come hither
with her coloure and her perfume!

"Soe, gentle mistresse and deare friende, I am, on ye sudden, hasting
to do what I have purposed for many dayes. Her Majestie hathe a d