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Be wise and discreet, and you shall find it for your good. Chatter and be giddy, and you shall find it far otherwise. Now, follow Mistress Perrote." Amphillis louted silently, and as silently followed. The elderly woman, who was tall, slim, and precise-looking, led her into the house, and up the stairs.
I have hoped in my time as much as ever woman did. But God took away from me one boon after another, till now He hath left me desolate. Be thankful, maid, that thou canst yet hope." She dropped her hand, and went back to her work with a weary sigh. "Dame," said Perrote, "your Grace wot that her Ladyship desires not that you talk in such strain to the damsels."
"Then I pray you to break my coming, and lead me to her forthwith," said Lady Basset, in her style of stately calm. A curtain was drawn aside, and Perrote came forward. "Damoiselle Jeanne!" she said, greeting Lady Basset by the old youthful title unheard for years. "My darling, mine own dear child!" A smile, not at all usual there, quivered for a moment on the calm fixed lips.
Perrote shrewdly guessed that the remark had especial reference to one man, and that not the Duke of Bretagne. "Ah, that is the nature of all sinners," she said, "and therefore of all men and women also. Dame, will you hearken to your old nurse, and grant her one boon?" "That will I, Perrotine, if it be in my power.
And to her astonishment, Amphillis was passed by her Ladyship up the table, above Agatha, above even Perrote nay, above Mistress Margaret and seated, not by any means to her comfort, next to Lady Foljambe herself. From that day she was no more addressed with the familiar thou, but always with the you, which denoted equality or respect.
She would not wish to leave Perrote; but if Perrote took the veil, that obstacle would be removed; and even if she did not, Amphillis had no certain chance of accompanying her wherever she might go, which would not improbably be to Drayton Manor. To leave the rest of her present companions would be no hardship at all, except
"Mistress Perrote, wit you how my cousin came hither?" "Why, by reason my Lady Foljambe sent to thine uncle, to ask at him if thou hadst any kin of the father's side, young maids of good birth and breeding, and of discreet conditions, that he should be willing to put forth hither with thee." Amphillis felt as if her mind were in a whirl.
"I did send to him," snapped Sir Godfrey. "And he cometh?" said Perrote, eagerly for her. "No." Sir Godfrey tried to pass her with that monosyllable, but Perrote was not to be thus baffled. She laid a detaining hand upon his arm. "Sir, I pray you, for our Lord's love, to tell me what word came back from my Lord Duke?" Our Lord's love was not a potent factor in Sir Godfrey's soul.
It was jet black once, and fell right to my feet. I little thought, then I little thought!" The coucher accomplished, the Countess lay down in her bed; Perrote took leave of her, and put out the light, admonishing Amphillis to be quick. Then she left the room, locking the door after her. "There!" said the voice of the Countess through the darkness.
"And my La I would say, Mistress Perrote?" Amphillis suddenly recollected that her mistress was never to be mentioned. "Ask at her," said Marabel, with a smile. "Then Master Norman is of this fashion of thinking?" "Ay. So be the Hyltons all." "Whence gat you the same?" "It was learned me of my Lady Molyneux of Sefton, that I served as chamberer ere I came hither.
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