“Egad, uncle!  I would as soon think of being jealous of—­of thee.  He is Constance’ cousin from Russia, and as she is staying here for some time, at her request I asked him also.  Bah!  I could never imagine him as a rival!”

“Well, so be it; but how about the wager of the East Forest?”

“Thou art on the winning side.  So thou couldst not wager without an opponent, and ’twill be futile to find one, lest thou dost charge upon some landless bumpkin.”

“And how soon wilt thou espouse her?”

“At the first moment of her consent—­”

“Consent ’tis thou art waiting for?  Thou hadst better keep her close; for if his Majesty gains inkling of such fresh, young beauty and finds her out of bans, ’twill go hard with thee to sword thy way to a lady in waiting or—­perhaps——­”

“’Sdeath, by God!  I had not thought of that!  ’Twould be too bold and out of place, she being under my guardianship, to press her to espousal without fair consent;—­but I know best; ’twould be for her own safety, is it not so, uncle?”

“If she knows naught of the frailties of all mankind and the Court in particular, I should say as thou art her rightful guardian and the suitor chosen of her father, and ’twas thy wish for her immediate espousal, ’twould best serve thee to use all manner of means to gain her consent, and if this prove abortive, I would abduct the maid and have thy Chaplain ready to marry thee to her; and after he pronounces thee man and wife, what can she do but love thee straightway for thy strong handling; ’tis the way of women.  I would marry such a beauty in haste, ere another takes the vantage.”

Lord Cedric chose Mistress Penwick for the brantle and led her forth.  They moved with such majestic grace, they attracted all eyes.  It seemed Cedric could not contain himself for love of Kate, and he vowed to gain her ear this very night and know for a certainty if she would ever marry with him.

It pleased Mistress Penwick to dance with Cedric, for she was more at ease with him than any other, and she was hardly pleased when he bade her rest and took her to another room, where they were quite alone.  But she would not sit down, and stood fanning and smiling up into his face, saying half pettishly: 

“Thou art soon tired; the brantle has just begun.”

“Kate, hast thou patience?”

“Aye, but ’tis of dwarfish mould.”

“Kate, dost love any human being?”

“Aye, ’tis a poor thing that loves not.”

“Dost love me, Kate?”

“As a father or brother and as one should love her father’s best friend.”

“Then—­give me a—­kiss as thou wouldst give thy brother.”  The hot blood suffused her face.  At sight of it, Cedric’s heart leapt with a mighty gladness.

“Not having had a brother, I know not how to give that thou askest;—­and ’tis unseemly of thee to ask for that that makes one blush for very shame to be questioned of.”