Somewhat fluttered by the presentation, Alizon yet maintained sufficient composure to bend gracefully before Lady Assheton, and say in a very sweet voice, “I fear your ladyship will think the choice of the village hath fallen ill in alighting upon me; and, indeed, I feel myself altogether unworthy the distinction; nevertheless I will endeavour to discharge my office fittingly, and therefore pray you, fair lady, and the worshipful knight, your husband, together with your beauteous children, and the gentles all by whom you are surrounded, to grace our little festival with your presence, hoping you may find as much pleasure in the sight as we shall do in offering it to you.”

“A fair maid, and modest as she is fair,” observed Sir Ralph, with a condescending smile.

“In sooth is she,” replied Lady Assheton, raising her kindly, and saying, as she did so—­

“Nay, you must not kneel to us, sweet maid.  You are queen of May, and it is for us to show respect to you during your day of sovereignty.  Your wishes are commands; and, in behalf of my husband, my children, and our guests, I answer, that we will gladly attend your revels on the green.”

“Well said, dear Nell,” observed Sir Ralph.  “We should be churlish, indeed, were we to refuse the bidding of so lovely a queen.”

“Nay, you have called the roses in earnest to her cheek, now, Sir Ralph,” observed Lady Assheton, smiling.  “Lead on, fair queen,” she continued, “and tell your companions to begin their sports when they please.—­Only remember this, that we shall hope to see all your gay troop this evening at the Abbey, to a merry dance.”

“Where I will strive to find her majesty a suitable partner,” added Sir Ralph.  “Stay, she shall make her choice now, as a royal personage should; for you know, Nell, a queen ever chooseth her partner, whether it be for the throne or for the brawl.  How gay you, fair one?  Shall it be either of our young cousins, Joe or Will Robinson of Raydale; or our cousin who still thinketh himself young, Squire Nicholas of Downham.”

“Ay, let it be me, I implore of you, fair queen,” interposed Nicholas.

“He is engaged already,” observed Richard Assheton, coming forward.  “I heard him ask pretty Mistress Tetlow, the farmer’s wife, to dance with him this evening at the Abbey.”

A loud laugh from those around followed this piece of information, but Nicholas was in no wise disconcerted.

“Dick would have her choose him, and that is why he interferes with me,” he observed.  “How say you, fair queen!  Shall it be our hopeful cousin?  I will answer for him that he danceth the coranto and lavolta indifferently well.”

On hearing Richard Assheton’s voice, all the colour had forsaken Alizon’s cheeks; but at this direct appeal to her by Nicholas, it returned with additional force, and the change did not escape the quick eye of Lady Assheton.

“You perplex her, cousin Nicholas,” she said.