uite
regardless of expense. "'Don't you think that will be best, girl?'"

"Oh, Eyebright, would she say 'girl?'" broke in Bessie; "it doesn't
sound polite enough for the Lady Jane."

"They all do,--I assure you they do. I can show you the place in
Shakespeare. It don't sound so nice, because when people say 'girl,'
now, it always means servant-girl, you know; but it was different
then; and Lady Jane did say 'my girl.' And you mustn't interrupt so,
Bessie, or we shan't get to the execution this recess, and after
school I want to play the little Princes in the Tower."

"I won't interrupt any more," said Bessie; "go on."

"'Yes, the cramberry velvet is my choice,'" resumed Eyebright. "'Sir
Knight, accept my grateful thanks.'

"He bent low and kissed her fair hand.

"'May naught but good tidings await you ever-more!' he murmured.
'Sorrow should never light on so fair a being.'

"'Ah,' she said, 'sorrow seems my portion. What is rank or riches or
ducality to a happy heart!'"

"What did you say? What was that word, Eyebright?"

"Ducality. Lady Jane's father was a duke, you know."

"The knight sighed deeply, and withdrew.

"'Ah, Guildford,' murmured the Lady Jane, laying her head on the
shoulder of her beloved Margaret, 'shall I indeed see you once more?
It seems too good to be true.'"

Eyebright paused, and bit into her apple with an absorbed expression.
She was meditating the next scene in her romance.

"So the next day and the next went by, and still the Lady Jane prayed
and waited. Night came at last, and now Lord Guildford might appear at
any moment. Margaret dressed her lovely mistress in the velvet robe,
twined the pearls in her golden hair, and clasped the jewelled girdle
round her slender waist. One snow-white rose was pinned in her bosom.
Never had she looked so wildly beautiful. But still Lord Guildford
came not. At last a tap at the door was heard.

"'It is he!' cried the Lady Jane, and flew to meet him.

"But alas! it was not he. A stern and gigantic form filled the
door-way, and, entering, looked at her with fiery eyes. No, his helmet
was shut tight. Wouldn't that be better, Bessie?"

"Oh yes, much better. Do have it shut," said the obliging Bessie.

"His lineaments were hidden by his helmet," resumed Eyebright,
correcting herself; "but there was something in his aspect which made
her heart thrill with terror.

"'You are looking to see if I am one who will never cross your path
again,' he s