Old Abraham, cap in hand, bowed low before the Princess, and presented a
closely-veiled, graceful figure, as the young broideress whom he had
promised.

"Lay thy veil aside, my maid," said the Countess, with most unusual
kindness, considering that it was a Jewess to whom she spoke.

The maiden obeyed, and revealed to the eyes of the Princess and her
damsels a face and figure of such extreme loveliness that she no longer
wondered at the anxiety of her father to provide for her concealment.
But the beauty of Belasez was of an entirely different type from that of
the Christians around her. Her complexion was olive, her hair raven
black, her eyes large and dark, now melting as if in liquid light, now
brilliant and full of fire. And if Margaret looked two years beyond her
real age, Belasez looked more like seven.

"Thou knowest wherefore thou art come hither?" asked the Countess,
smiling complacently on the vision before her.

"To broider for my Lady," said Belasez, in a low, clear, musical voice.

"And wilt thou obey my orders?"

"I will obey my Lady in every thing not forbidden by the holy law."

"Well, I think we shall agree, my maid," returned the Countess, whose
private views respecting religious tolerance were something quite
extraordinary for the time at which she lived. "I would not willingly
coerce any person's conscience. But as I do not know thy law, thou wilt
have to tell me if I should desire thee to do some forbidden thing."

"My Lady is very good to her handmaiden," said Belasez.

"Margaret, take the maid into thy wardrobe for a little while, until she
has dined; and after that I will show her what I require. She will be
glad of rest after her journey."

Margaret obeyed, and a motion of her mother's hand sent Doucebelle after
her. The daughter of the house sat down on the settle which stretched
below the window, and Doucebelle followed her example: but Belasez
remained standing.

"Come and sit here by me," said Margaret to the young Jewess. "I want
to talk to thee."

Belasez obeyed in silence.

"Art thou very tired with thy journey?"

"Not now, damsel, I thank you. We have come but a short stage this
morning."

"Art thou fond of broidery?"

"I love everything beautiful."

"And nothing that is not beautiful?"

"I did not say that, damsel." Belasez's smile showed a perfect row of
snow-white teeth.

"Am I fair enough to love?" asked Margaret laughingly. She had a good
deal o