“And a necklace like Constance has?” put in Katherine, unthinkingly.

“Constance—­where didst thou see her?” His voice and manner showed annoyance.  “Where didst see her, Kate?” There was a blush on her face as she answered,

“At the ball.”

“Thou wert not there,” he said, incredulously.

“Janet and I looked on from the gallery, and Constance stood beneath us.  ’Twas a beautiful thing that encircled her throat.”

“Aye, they were pearls; but thou shalt have a circlet that wilt not so hide thy pink hued neck.  To-day, Kate, I will give thee some gems and thou shalt go with me to the great chests and see the laces they contain;—­and thy colours, Kate, what are thy favourite colours?”

“I love white and violet.”  A happy smile covered Cedric’s face.

“’Tis my mother’s choice and by that I hit upon thy fancy as thou shalt soon see.”  Cedric racked his brain for more pleasant things to say.  “And thou shalt have a horse and learn to ride.”

“Oh, Janet, to have a horse all my own! ’tis too good to be true; ’tis a thing I have dreamt of.”  And the delighted girl flung herself at Janet’s feet and embraced her knees from sheer ecstasy.  It seemed peace had come to stay; and for a moment Cedric looked upon her with eyes full of admiration and, yes, heart full of love; then,—­

“Art sure thou hast thought of all thou wouldst have, is the list complete, Janet; canst thou not suggest something more?  I will send it to one of the court mantua-makers and if thou sendest the proper measurements our lady will soon be a modish butterfly.”  At the word modish a sudden thought came to Katherine and she leant over and whispered in Janet’s ear; then Janet said: 

“She must have a pair of stays with each frock.”

“Nay, nay, she shall not have stays to pinch so fair a mould; she shall not have stays, nay, nay, sweet Kate.”  ’Twas then Mistress Penwick flew into a passion.  She clinched her fists and her face grew scarlet; she shook her head and threw glances like sword-thrusts at Cedric, and said not a word but stamped her foot.  As she did so, she saw that in Cedric’s eyes that made her calm her passion on a sudden.  ’Twas steel against steel.  It was Janet’s voice that drew Katherine’s attention; for it had in it something it never had heretofore; it was full of reproach.

“Lambkin, thou art too young for either stays or such a show of passion.  I beg thee to quench thy evil spirit, it does not become thee.”  Katherine bent her head and turned from them toward the door.  Cedric called,

“Do not leave until we have all things settled!  Kate, dost hear me speaking?” She pretended deaf ears.  “Kate,” he said, with emphasis, “dost hear me?  Mistress Pen wick, hear me, heed, heed!” he thundered, and stamped his foot, the spurs rattling upon the hearthstone.  She turned about reluctantly and rested her hand upon the great oaken table, looking at Janet as if it had been she that had spoken.  Cedric drew himself up proudly, and spoke in a firm, full voice,