“Thou hast not even brought forth bread.  I will aid thee,” and he went to ’the cupboards that lined the room, and opened and looked within each large door, until he was satisfied of his search, and those about stood watching and trembling, fearing lest some one should be found in hiding.

“I find naught here of bread or butter, Mistress Penwick; we will have to seek elsewhere!”

“And thou wilt not have far to seek, my lord; my whey sits freshly made upon the cellaret in yonder closet adjoining; if thou wilt be so kind as to bring it hither, Janet will provide me with bread,” and Katherine looked triumphant.

“I would first learn whom I follow.  Who hath so cavalierly concocted it for thee at this late hour?  Where is the person, my lady?”

“One who is in the habit of following thy orders; but at mine he hath made it; ’twas Tompkins.”  Her voice rung with so much of truth, his Lordship was satisfied and looked at her with a lighter heart; then, as she pointed toward the door—­a mute command for him to bring the whey—­he frowned and drew back and spoke,—­

“Hiary will bring it thee, for ’tis said a hand put forth by an angry heart doth curdle that it toucheth and—­I am of no mind to be either kind or courteous.”  At these words, the colour that had come into Katherine’s face a moment before, left it.

As Hiary turned to do his lord’s bidding, a door opened and Tompkins entered with a lighted candle and large basket.  Seeing the unexpected, coughed to hide his confusion; indeed he knew not which way to turn, when his Lordship walked to his side and raised the cover of the basket and looked within.

“It appears that ’twas a feast thou wert preparing;—­everything suitable for a full meal.  Here is fowl and cheese and mutton tarsal and bread and ale,—­Egad! we shall not want now, shall we, Mistress Penwick?  Set the table, Tompkins!”

“Ah!” came in an asperate tone from the now trembling and frightened maid.  His Lordship heard it and saw her turn white and tremble.  Slowly he walked to the hearthstone, eyeing her askance, then he swept his brow where the cold perspiration lay in beads;—­then turned to her again with a world of love for her in his eyes and a great crushing self-pity; and the menials looked away from the abject misery they beheld in their lord’s face; Tompkins fumbled nervously with his burden, daring not to look up; Janet leant forward, intent, pained, sorrowing, scanning the two countenances she loved best on earth.  His Lordship stretched forth his arms and with a great sob that broke upon that one word “Kate,” he took a step forward and essayed again to speak, but the words would not come.  Then with a great effort he seemed to fling all tenderness from him and spoke most harshly,—­

“Where hast thou hid thy lover, Mistress Penwick, tell me where he is!” She drew herself up quickly to her full height and smiled, for this was one thing and she had thought another, and the reality was better than her fancy.  And she said, as she drew a long, relieved breath,—­