absorbed the rest, till only the eldest two were
left of all that numerous family to perpetuate the name of Poole, and
raise the fortunes of the race. In due course of time, Sir Mighell
married Elizabeth, daughter of the right noble knight, Thomas Duke of
Norfolk; and these together had two children, Jane and Katharine, but,
alas! no son. Years passed on, and the hope of an heir was at an end;
but before that hope was quite laid aside, the tragedy of the house
began.

Jane, as yet heiress and darling, a round, bright, wilful cherub,
beautiful and loving, but mighty in her passionate force, and
indomitable in her infant will, beyond all power of control--the one
most cared for, and on whom was anchored such a rich argosy of hopes
and first fond love--was one day given into the safe keeping of Maud,
a young serving-girl, a rough, untutored peasant-girl, who was one of
the underwomen to the bower-maidens. The king was coming to the castle
that night, and every female finger that could work was employed on
the last stitches of a dainty tapestry-bed, which was to receive His
Majesty as became his lordly dignity. Even the mother's care must give
way to the housewife's duty; even love must yield to loyalty.

Left alone in an upper apartment with her young charge, Maud became
weary of confinement, and resolved at all hazards to descend to the
great hall, and have her share of the general amusement. Down,
accordingly, she went. Jane, of course, accompanied her, and, contrary
to orders, was allowed to romp about at pleasure. The day was cold,
and the fire burned brightly in the open hearth. Nearer and nearer the
little one crept to the blazing logs, watching the sparks fly up in a
golden shower when the crackling masses fell to the ground, or when
some rough soldier struck them with his mailed hand. No one looked to
her while she played by the open hearth, and tried to seize the vivid
sparks; once only, a trooper caught her roughly back; but again she
stole towards the great blazing logs, and this time she was less
fortunate. Suddenly, a cry was heard. Jane's clothes were in flames.
Maud extinguished them as she best could. She crushed the burning with
her hands in such haste as she might make; but, alas! to what a wreck
had the fire reduced the child! Her long fair hair was withered to its
roots; her pretty eyes were closed, and the curling lashes scorched to
the skin; her pure neck was blackened and blistered; and, a mass of