often with her. When the lacquey announced him, Anne, who sat upon the
same seat with her, felt her slightly start, and looking up, saw in her
countenance a thing she had never beheld before, nor had indeed ever
dreamed of beholding. It was a strange, sweet crimson which flowed over
her face, and seemed to give a wondrous deepness to her lovely orbs. She
rose as a queen might have risen had a king come to her, but never had
there been such pulsing softness in her look before. 'Twas in some
curious fashion like the look of a girl; and, in sooth, she was but a
girl in years, but so different to all others of her age, and had lived
so singular a life, that no one ever thought of her but as a woman, or
would have deemed it aught but folly to credit her with any tender
emotion or blushing warmth girlhood might be allowed.

His Grace was as courtly of bearing as he had ever been. He stayed not
long, and during his visit conversed but on such subjects as a kinsman
may graciously touch upon; but Anne noted in him a new look also, though
she could scarce have told what it might be. She thought that he looked
happier, and her fancy was that some burden had fallen from him.

Before he went away he bent low and long over Clorinda's hand, pressing
his lips to it with a tenderness which strove not to conceal itself. And
the hand was not withdrawn, her ladyship standing in sweet yielding, the
tender crimson trembling on her cheek. Anne herself trembled, watching
her new, strange loveliness with a sense of fascination; she could scarce
withdraw her eyes, it seemed so as if the woman had been reborn.

"Your Grace will come to us again," my lady said, in a soft voice. "We
are two lonely women," with her radiant compelling smile, "and need your
kindly countenancing."

His eyes dwelt deep in hers as he answered, and there was a flush upon
his own cheek, man and warrior though he was.

"If I might come as often as I would," he said, "I should be at your
door, perhaps, with too great frequency."

"Nay, your Grace," she answered. "Come as often as _we_ would--and see
who wearies first. 'Twill not be ourselves."

He kissed her hand again, and this time 'twas passionately, and when he
left her presence it was with a look of radiance on his noble face, and
with the bearing of a king new crowned.

For a few moments' space she stood where he had parted from her, looking
as though listening to the sound of his step, as if she wou