“We did not ask her to go for it.  In fact I did not know the woman was within hearing.  She moves about so noiselessly one frequently does not know when she is near.  Of course she meant very well, but she does not know our English ways.”

“No, my lady, she does not,” said Jane, respectfully but firmly.  “I took the liberty of telling her she must keep to her own part of the house unless required by your ladyship.”

“You mustn’t frighten the poor creature,” laughed her mistress.  She was rather touched indeed by the slavish desire to please and do service swiftly which the Ayah’s blunder seemed to indicate.  She had wished to save her mistress even the trouble of giving the order.  That was her Oriental way, Emily thought, and it was very affectionate and child-like.

Being reminded of the book again, she carried it down herself into the drawing-room.  It was a volume she was fond of because it recorded romantic stories of certain noble dames of Walderhurst lineage.

Her special predilection was a Dame Ellena, who, being left with but few servitors in attendance during her lord’s absence from his castle on a foraging journey into an enemy’s country, had defended the stronghold boldly against the attack of a second enemy who had adroitly seized the opportunity to forage for himself.  In the cellars had been hidden treasure recently acquired by the usual means, and knowing this, Dame Ellena had done splendid deeds, marshalling her small forces in such way as deceived the attacking party and showing herself in scorn upon the battlements, a fierce, beauteous woman about to give her lord an heir, yet fearing naught, and only made more fierce and full of courage by this fact.  The son, born but three weeks later, had been the most splendid and savage fighter of his name, and a giant in build and strength.

“I suppose,” Emily said when they discussed the legend after dinner, “I suppose she felt that she could do anything,” with her italics.  “I daresay nothing could make her afraid, but the thought that something might go wrong while her husband was away.  And strength was given her.”

She was so thrilled that she got up and walked across the room with quite a fine sweep of heroic movement in her momentary excitement.  She held her head up and smiled with widening eyes.

But she saw Captain Osborn drag at his black moustache to hide an unattractive grin, and she was at once abashed into feeling silly and shy.  She sat down again with awkward self-consciousness.

“I’m afraid I’m making you laugh at me,” she apologised, “but that story always gives me such a romantic feeling.  I like her so.”

“Oh! not at all, not all,” said Osborn.  “I was not laughing really; oh no!”

But he had been, and had been secretly calling her a sentimental, ramping idiot.