Mistress Penwick | Page 6

Sister Agnes and Phelia and Drusah and the
Mother Superior of the Ursuline. Wilt let me dress thee now?"
"Nay, Janet, I will cleanse my face and hands, have my supper--for I'm
nearly famished, and jump into yonder bed that hath a lid--"
"Why, Lambkin, that is a tester, 'tis the first thou hast seen! But,
Lambkin, I would have thee don thy pretty white dress and go down to
more cheerful surroundings."
"Nay, Janet, I could not raise courage. Have my supper brought up!"
"My blessed Lambkin, I will take thee down and see that they give thee
proper food for thy coach-jostled stomach. Thou shalt have a room and
table to thyself. I'll see to it. I thought upon it coming up to this
sky-begotten chamber. The toddy would freeze stiff and the pheasants
grow to clamminess on so long and frigid a journey. I will dress thee
and then will find my way down and make things ready for thy comfort
and privacy."
'Twas a soft, white, clinging gown, high-necked and long-sleeved, with
the perfume of incense in its folds, Janet vested her mistress in. The
thick rolls of hair framing her face glinted with bronze and amber sheen.
Her warm youthful blood coloured her countenance with the tints of the
peach blossom. Thus she stood gloriously beautiful; ready for conquest.
Janet went below, nor was she gone long ere she came again to her
mistress' side.
"Didst see any signs of petticoats. Janet?"
"Nay, mistress," and her voice was sober and intense. "I tried to find a
servants' stairway, but it seemed all were grand and confusing. And
every moment lackeys rushed by me bearing trays of smoking viands,
and not even so much as looking my way. At last I found one I thought
would take the time to answer a question and I asked him the way

below. He answered me civilly and conducted me saying the while, that
'twas a grand party his Lord Cedric was having; members of the Royal
family being present; he even mentioned the Dukes of Buckingham and
Monmouth. The boy was so filled with good sense I am sure, Mistress,
he spoke truly and that we are within a very great man's house. I found
old flabby, and she took me to a cosy little room with a table ready
spread. So come, my Lambkin, when his Lordship finds not a baby but
a rare gem for his costly setting, his heart will bound with pleasure and
he will regret he did not prepare for a great lady instead of an infant."
Timorously the maid followed Janet through intricate windings to the
broad stairway.
"Janet, take me through the servants' passage for this once!"
"Nay, thou art a lady, and as such must keep to the grand aisles." So on
they went traversing lofty corridors. In one of these they suddenly came
upon a young gallant of youthful beauty; a mould of elegance and
strength; his countenance was flushed and shaded by curling black hair
that fell loose upon his shoulders. In his shapely, white, bejewelled
fingers he held a blood-red rose, and as his eyes fell upon the most
beautiful face he had ever beheld, he caught his breath and held the
rose to his face to hide his devouring glances as she swept by him
under the soft light cast by the sconces above her head. In a moment he
was upon the stairway, breathless and panting, and leaning over,
dropped the rose at her feet. Her face grew as rosy as the thing itself,
but passing on made none other sign.
"'Tis a conquest thou hast made the first hour, and thou acknowledged
thy victory with naught but a modest maiden blush. But, Lambkin, his
body was not a match for thine; 'twas inclined to be too slender. I shall
pick for thee a beau like Sir Williams's Romeo."
They had now come to where the table awaited Katherine, and Janet
bustled about handing things for her mistress' convenience; then
hurried out to send in the warm food from the oven.
"Janet, didst say the bird was a pheasant?--'Tis grand tasting!"

"Aye, Mistress, and there was a score of other things that I would not
let thee eat; 'twould make pimples on thy snowy neck and shoulders."
"Dost think perchance the young man upon the stairway was the Duke
of Monmouth? He was very handsome, Janet, I think he was very, very
handsome."
"Thou dost have the names of the great upon thy tongue as commonly
as thou sayest Janet; 'tis more than probable he is a country squire
and--"
"Dear Janet, go get thy supper and get back to me, for I would rather
remain here alone than in yonder chamber. 'Tis grand to live in