The duke was too ill to remain up long; and though Katherine was less than an hour from her chamber, the day was much shortened by the diversion.  As night approached she became more and more anxious about Christopher.  Indeed, it seemed to her as if the moments were hours after candle-light.  And she moved restlessly about her chamber and listened and sighed for the return of his Lordship.  Surely the silence was more pronounced than usual; it became ominous to her, and she spoke out quickly in a voice that was peevish: 

“The castle is very quiet to-night.  His Grace is not suffering again, I hope?  Wilt see, Janet?  I’m in a perfect fever of impatience!”

“Nay, he is very comfortable.  Her Grace is with him.  Lady Constance, Lady Bettie and the Russian are at cards.”

“Will my lord arrive soon, dost think, Janet?”

“I know not.  Why art thou so solicitous on a sudden of his outgoings and incomings?”

“I would make another effort to save Christopher, if I could but converse with my lord.”

“And what wouldst thou give him in exchange for the fool’s life?”

“Everything, Janet,—­all that I have to give should be his.”

“Then that includes thy heart, Lambkin?”

“Nay, dear nurse, my heart is already given.”

“Of all the powers that be!  And what knave hath attempted to steal that that thou wert born without?”

“’Tis unjust of thee to speak thus.  I have a mind not to tell thee!”

“Thou wilt tell me straightway, for thou wilt turn all colours when I say Adrian Cantemir,” and quickly Mistress Penwick turned her back, “I am aggrieved at thy folly.  What hath he said to thee?  Tell me every word, Lambkin.”

“He hath said more than I could tell thee, Janet, in a whole hour.”

“It is impossible!  And what were all of these hour sayings,—­love pratings?”

“If I told thee, thou wouldst then know as much as both of us, and there are but two in a marriage contract; so I will have to begin barring secrets from thee.”

“And did he tell thee what marriage meant to two people knowing not their own minds?”

“He said ’twas a most perfect life.  All was sunshine and flowers and great happiness.  First of all, he will take me to Russia, as ’tis his pleasure to hasten home with me.  Then we will visit the French and English courts, and we will see all the beauties of this life.  I shall become known among the musicians and meet—­”

“And said he naught of home-life, and the extent of his riches?”

“Nay, we are to live at Court always, free and happy, consorting ever with kings and queens—­”

“Did his High-mightiness ever consider that court dignitaries consort not with a rogue who hath entrapt an angel for spouse?”

“I will not listen to thy rough tongue, Janet,” and she straightway closed her ears with her tapering fingers and walked up and down as a spoilt child would do.