On the part of the clergy there had been for some time a considerable tendency, chiefly from the influence of Laud, to cultivate the same spirit which actuated the larger portion of the catholic priesthood; and although this had never led to retrograde movement in regard to their politics, the fact that both were accounted by a third party, and that far the most dangerous to either of the other two, as in spirit and object one and the same, naturally tended to produce a more indulgent regard of each other than had hitherto prevailed.  And hence, in part, it was that it had become possible for episcopalian Dr. Bayly to be an inmate of Raglan Castle, and for good, protestant Matthew Herbert to seek refuge for his ward with good catholic lady Margaret.

Eager to return to the duties of his parish, through his illness so long neglected, Mr. Herbert declined her ladyship’s invitation to dinner, which, she assured him, consulting a watch that she wore in a ring on her little finger, must be all but ready, seeing it was now a quarter to eleven, and took his leave, accompanied by Dorothy’s servant to bring back the horse—­if indeed they should be fortunate enough to escape the requisition of both horses by one party or the other.  At present, however, the king’s affairs continued rather on the ascendant, and the name of the marquis in that country was as yet a tower of strength.  Dorothy’s horse was included in the hospitality shown his mistress, and taken to the stables—­under the mid-day shadow of the Library Tower.

As soon as the parson was gone, lady Margaret touched a small silver bell which hung in a stand on the table beside her.

’Conduct mistress Dorothy Vaughan to her room, wait upon her there, and then attend her hither,’ she said to the maid who answered it.  ‘I would request a little not unneedful haste, cousin,’ she went on, ’for my lord of Worcester is very precise in all matters of household order, and likes ill to see any one enter the dining-room after he is seated.  It is his desire that you should dine at his table to-day.  After this I must place you with the rest of my ladies, who dine in the housekeeper’s room.’

‘As you think proper, madam,’ returned Dorothy, a little disappointed, but a little relieved also.

‘The bell will ring presently,’ said lady Margaret, ’and a quarter of an hour thereafter we shall all be seated.’

She was herself already dressed—­in a pale-blue satin, with full skirt and close-fitting, long-peaked boddice, fastened in front by several double clasps set with rubies; her shoulders were bare, and her sleeves looped up with large round star-like studs, set with diamonds, so that her arms also were bare to the elbows.  Round her neck was a short string of large pearls.

‘You take no long time to attire yourself, cousin,’ said her ladyship, kindly, when Dorothy returned.

‘Little time was needed, madam,’ answered Dorothy; ’for me there is but one colour.  I fear I shall show but a dull bird amidst the gay plumage of Raglan.  But I could have better adorned myself had not I heard the bell ere I had begun, and feared to lose your ladyship’s company, and in very deed make my first appearance before my lord as a transgressor of the laws of his household.’