Part 8 (1/2)
”I had thought of it, but determined mine should not be the first breath to breathe forth scandal, even in private converse with thee; 'twas an awful thing for her to come here knowing of thy youth.”
”But she did not know, as that letter and thou thyself can testify.”
”But the world--the Court where thou wilt go to hold sway--they know not the circ.u.mstances.”
”Now, by G.o.d, Constance, one would think thou wert an alien to King Charles' Court. If Charles knew I had here this maid and had not yet taken her to wife--why--why, he would take her away himself and laugh me to scorn for my slothfulness. But all London knows by now, as I have sent a message to my solicitors.”
”But if she be set upon not marrying thee. What wilt thou do?” Lord Cedric hung his head, as if in profound meditation; then, without raising it, but remaining in a hopeless att.i.tude, said:
”I will guard her from all evil. I will stand between her and harm and wait. And thou must help me, Constance. Wilt thou persuade her?”
”Have I not always taken thy part, even--when thou wert in the wrong?”
When Cedric left Lady Constance, he sought Janet and poured into her willing ears his woes. He feared lest some gallant should win his Kate's love, and Janet must tell him of some way to win it for himself.
Janet now loved Lord Cedric as if he were already Katherine's lord; and she, knowing 'twould be one of the best matches in all England, vowed 'twas best for them to marry at once; beside, Kate, being wilful and having a tendency for men of foreign birth, with nothing in their favour but a small share of good looks and some musical ability, might see fit to plant her affections with such, and 'twas plain mischance would kill Cedric outright, for he was pa.s.sionate to self-destruction; so when he said: ”'Twould be instant death to me, Janet. What wouldst thou advise me to do--thou dost so fully understand her?” she answered him:
”'Tis somewhat the way with maidens to sigh for that not easily attained, and it might serve thee to put forth an indifferent air and incline thy attentions toward another and act a mighty cold lord and coddle not her desires.”
”That would take so long a time; I cannot wait. I will speak to her once more, then I will be cold and indifferent as thou sayest. When shall I have an opportunity to speak with her?”
”How soon dost expect the chests with my lady's raiment, my lord?”
”On the morrow they should be here.”
”'Tis then she will think of thy goodness, and I will put in a word for thee, and perchance thou wilt come to see if all things came, and 'twill give thee opportunity to speak of other things. She is wanting many things for the Chapel; she wishes to reopen it; and 'tis in matters of religion thy hot tempers will clash, for Mistress Penwick is a Roman Catholic, and thou art of the English Church.”
”Thou art a wise Janet! I will turn the people, and they shall become Catholics.”
”Nay, if thou dost undertake it, thy people will rise in arms against thee.”
”So be it, let her have her way. I'll bother her not in her simple ideas of religion.”
”Not so simple, my lord. Thou hast not seen the teachings of nine years take root and spread and grow as I have. Dost think she would allow thy Chaplain to bind thee to her? Nay, she will be wed by none but a priest. But she is kindly intentioned and feels sorry for thy poor Chaplain, who hath so hard a time to keep his flock together.
I look any day for her to carry in a cross and hang it behind his pulpit, then--then he will faint away from fright of her.”
”Nay, Janet, he will fall down and wors.h.i.+p it, and--her.”
CHAPTER VII
THE BRANTLE
Mistress Penwick sat in her chamber, trying to calm herself to reason; for the chest had come from London-town laden with splendid raiment; all had been unpacked and examined, and 'twas enough to cure all grievances, the very sight of such adornings; but her ladys.h.i.+p was disappointed that there were no stays. Janet for the time was distraught and said:
”I would that had been sent that would mend thy untowardness and bring thy temper to a comelier mould. 'Tis past time for thee to clothe thyself in that in which thy n.o.ble lord hath seen fit to purchase for thee; I heard some moments since the arrival of the hunters and it's time--” There was a sounding rap and 'twas his Lords.h.i.+p's lackey begging the admittance of his master. Janet bade Lord Cedric enter. He came forth in riding-coat and field boots and rattling spurs. Mistress Penwick vouchsafed a nod of recognition and turned her eyes away. The hot blood mounted Cedric's face and at a look at Janet understood all was not well; he essayed to speak with coolness:
”Art not happy with the contents of thy chest, Kate?”