,
will be saddest of any when my Lord's or the confessor's eyes be upon
her, but will talk away like very water let out when she hath one alone.

"It was some days ere I was called to any work. The Tuesday thereafter,
my Lord Marquis sent for me, to read a letter come to him from England.
'Twas but filled with compliments and fair words--scarce worth the
sending, methought. Very grave is this Lord Marquis, yet extreme
courteous withal. As I stood a-reading come in Fray Juan.

"`How fareth her Highness?' asks my Lord.

"`She requires you,' answered the Friar.

"`I go,' his Lordship made answer. `Is it the _premia_?'

"The Friar shrugged up his shoulders, but said nought; and my Lord, so
soon as I had made an end of reading, sent me away quickly [Note 8].
Now I marvelled much what they meant, seeing that _premia_ signifieth a
reward or kindness done unto one; and wherefore that should be I knew
not. When I was in my chamber, I asked Maria what _premia_ meant.
(This is a good, kindly, simple lass I have.) `Senora,' said she, `it
signifieth a reward.' And she plainly knew of no other signification.

"But in the night, I was waked from my sleep by the dreadfullest sound
ever I heard. Surely I was deceived, but it did seem to me like shrieks
of some poor wretch in mortal pain. Maria awaked also, and sitting up
in her bed, she cries under her breath, `All the saints preserve us!'

"`What can it be?' said I.

"`Senora,' quoth she, `may it please your serenity, I know not. I have
heard it once afore, some time gone, but none would tell me the cause
thereof. Methinks the Castle is haunted by goblins.'

"And she fell to crossing her and saying Ave Marys by the score.

"The screaming ceased not for some time, and then by degrees; but I
slept not again.

"The morrow after came Dona Leonor into my chamber; and after some talk
on things indifferent, she saith, `Did aught disturb you this night?'

"`Dona Leonor, what was it?' said I.

"`What heard you, Dona Ines?' quoth she.

"`Why,' said I, `horrible screaming, like unto the shrieks of a soul in
Purgatory.'

"`We hear them sometimes,' she answered.

"`But what is it?' I repeated.

"`Dona Ines,' said she, `there are things not to be spoken about. But
do not you fancy that the Castle is haunted by goblins.'

"And not an other word might I have from her. But I am assured there is
some terrible matter afoot in this Palace; and I would I were safe
thereou