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This gave rise to the courtier-saying that Philip 'made slaves of his friends, and friends of his painters. Another is Zucchero, one of the painters who was requested by Queen Elizabeth to paint her picture without shade, the result being 'a woman with a Roman nose, a huge ruff and farthingale, and a bushel of pearls. There are also Van Somer, Janssens, who painted Lady Bowyer, named for her exquisite beauty, 'The star of the East, and Susanna Lister, the most beautiful woman at court, when presented in marriage to Sir Geoffrey Thornhurst by James I, in person, and Daniel Myttens, all foreigners, Flemish or Dutch, whom we must thus briefly dismiss.

Then raising herself up and speaking with all her strength, she said, "You will bear witness, and say to them all, that if I had married, none but Brian Locke Harper would ever have been my husband: and therefore I have left to him Thornhurst, and all I have in the world, in token of my love and reverence just as if I had been his wife."

I know the Squire has not been at all well; and Mary has spent her whole time in watching him, and in coming to Thornhurst to nurse me." "Have you been so very ill, then? I wish I wish " "That you also had come to see me? Well, you will come now. Not to-day; for I am going to use this lovely autumn morning in taking a journey." "Whither?" "To Weymouth, opposite the Isle of Portland."

I am sure we were all very sorry for your loneliness, dear Agatha." "Thank you for giving yourselves that trouble." "Oh, no trouble at all," said the well-meaning and simple Mary. "And we would have come to see you or fetched you here, but I had to go so much to Thornhurst while Anne was ill, and Eulalie somehow I don't know but Eulalie is always busy."

And we will send the carriage, so that the journey can do Nathanael no harm." "You are always thinking of every one," said Agatha, as she turned to obey. She felt it was a solemn mission. All her bright plans about Thornhurst grew dim; she could not look forward. Yet, warm in the strength of youth and love, she cherished a faint hope still. When she reached Kingcombe, Brian had not come home.

He stood motionless by the horse, his hat pulled down over his brows nothing visible but the sharp profile of his mouth. Old Andrews called him "that gentleman" eyed him with some curiosity, then bowed, and wished him a "merry Christmas, sir," country fashion. The answer about the mistress of Thornhurst was brief; she was "much the same;" the servants did not seem to apprehend any danger.

"Harrie Dugdale, probably; and for certain, Anne Valery." Brian said no more until they reached the gates of Thornhurst. There he helped her to descend, reins in hand, and waited. Just as Agatha was going he touched her arm: "Ask how she is, will you?" Agatha sent the message up-stairs, and remained with him for a minute or two.

You are not gone yet." "How did you come you poor child?" "From Thornhurst I walked. But how soon shall you start?" "Walked from Thornhurst! at this time of night!" said one of the railway-men, who knew the family as indeed did every one in the neighbourhood. "Lord help us it's that poor Mrs. Harper!" Mr. Dugdale tried to remove Agatha from the platform, but she resisted.

I am rather tired," she said to her husband, chiefly for the sake of saying something. "Tired, are you? Then you must have a quiet day tomorrow. It will be very quiet, I doubt not;" and he sighed. "Why so? What is to be done to-morrow? Shall you have to ride over to Thornhurst?" "No; I saw Anne Valery yesterday. I shall not see her again for a good while." "Indeed!"

I believe I shall never be far away from Thornhurst and Kingcombe, and Kingcombe Holm." She said this more to herself than to Agatha, who listened, her throat choking; then answered abruptly, "You are talking too much you must be quiet." Anne smiled one of her old smiles, so full of cheerfulness. "I think I am quiet enough already, but I will obey."