Her Grace of Ellswold stood upon the threshold with a warning finger raised.

“Thou hast a clamourous tongue, Cedric; the doctor hath enjoined silence, as holding for the moment the greatest good for his Grace.”

“Now God forgive me!  I was so wrought upon by foul communication I am well nigh distraught.—­How is his Grace?”

“He is resting quietly; but I thought but now, as I heard thy voice—­indistinctly, ’tis true,—­his pulse did flutter extraly.”

“Dear aunt, forgive; thou shalt not be thus annoyed again.”  He turned and strode up and down the room with bent head.

Janet watched him narrowly, wondering the while that any female, of whatsoever age, could withstand such fine mould, masculine grace and handsome features; such strong heart and hot blood.  What maid beside her Lambkin would not be overjoyed to see him so mad with love of her?  Who could resist kneeling before him and pleading, and watch his anger take flight; and feel his strong arms raise her and fold the maiden bosom to his heart, where ’twould throb and flutter as he held it close pressed—­ah! ’twas not his anger that would kill, nay! nay! ’twas his tender passion.

“Janet, these are troublous times come upon us.  They have come within these walls.  We have traitors about us.  That knave Christopher shall die by the hand of the lowest scullion in the kitchen; for ’twould dishonour a better to mix with blood of swine.  And thou wilt take thy mistress to the tower and there be bolted in, and ’twill be given out that her ladyship is ill and must needs have quiet—­”

“If my lord values her health, ’twould be best to put her in a less windy chamber; the room is large and ill-heated for damp, spring days.”

“Canst keep her safe where she is?”

“Aye, leave it to me, my lord.”

“And thou shalt allow of no communication with those outside, save her Grace, and Angel thou canst rely upon—­stay—­thou mayest allow Constance to keep my lady company.”

“Nay, my lord, I would refute the idea of safety in my Lady Constance.”

“’Sdeath, what meanest thou; art thou also turned from serving me?”

“My lord, dost remember the night thou didst have dancers from London?  Lady Constance sat late with Mistress Penwick, and at last complained of thirst and they two stole below stair and I followed, and as if by accident Lady Constance brought Mistress Katherine to the curtained archway, and she saw thee swaying in thy cups, and after a while my lady led mistress to her room while she hastened away to a room apart and donned the garb of one of the dancing maids and came to thee as a gipsy, and she told thee false things concerning Mistress Penwick—­”

“Is what thou sayest true, or is’t thou art going mad?”

“’Tis true, my lord, as Mistress Penwick will tell thee if thou carest to ask.”

“And Constance would do such an act?—­” he spoke half aloud and incredulously,—­“Nay, I cannot and do not believe it!  Thou must have dreamt it, Janet,—­and yet,—­I did have like visions!—­Thou art right; no one shall see thy mistress, no one, mind, but Angel and her Grace.  ’Tis possible the king may send for me within a few days; and if so, I must go and leave thee to fight the battle alone.  Art able, Janet?”