ina bring thee such dishes as thou mightest eat?"

"According to our law? Oh yes."

It was rather a relief to Belasez that the question took that form.

"Then that is all right," said Margaret, innocently, and passed on into
her own room.

The Countess's step was heard approaching, but just before entering she
stopped at the head of the stairs.

"Thou hast given the girl her dinner, Levina?"

"Oh yes, my Lady!"

"What had she?"

"I brought her apple-pie, if it please my Lady, and cheese, and gateau
de Dijon, and ham, and--a few other little things: but she would not
touch the ham, and scarcely the cheese."

"Thou hast forgotten, Levina: I told thee no meat of any kind, nor fish;
and I believe no Jew will touch ham. I did not know they objected to
cheese. But had she enough? Apple-pie and gateau de Dijon make but a
poor dinner."

And without questioning Levina further, the Countess went on and
addressed Belasez direct.

"My maid, hast thou fared well? I fear Levina did not bring thee proper
things."

Belasez hesitated. She was very unwilling to say no: and how could she
in conscience say yes?

"They were according to our law, I thank my Lady,--all but the ham.
That, under her gracious leave, I must decline."

"But thou didst not take the cheese?"

"No,--with my Lady's leave."

"Was it not in accordance with thy law, or didst thou not like it?"

"If my Lady will pardon me," said poor Belasez, driven into a corner, "I
did not like it."

"What kind was it?"

"Levina said it was Suffolk cheese." Belasez's conscience rather smote
her in giving this answer.

"Ah!" responded the unconscious Countess, "it is often hard, and
everybody does not like it, I know."

Belasez was silent beyond a slight reverence to show that she heard the
observation.

"But hast thou had enough?" pursued the Countess, still unsatisfied.

"I am greatly obliged to my Lady, and quite ready to serve her," was the
evasive reply.

The Countess looked hard at Belasez, but she said no more. She
despatched Levina for the scarf which was to be copied, and gave the
young Jewess her instructions. The exquisite work which grew in
Belasez's skilful hands evidently delighted the Countess. She was
extremely kind, and the reserved but sensitive nature of Belasez went
out towards her in fervent love.

To Margaret, the Jewish broideress was an object of equal mystery and
interest. She would sit watching her work for long peri