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Janet now watched for a whispered word or some sign of intercourse; but her vigilance was of no avail, for Lady Constance deftly placed a tiny paper in Mistress Penwick's hair and plaited tightly over it. "'Tis such a pleasure to fuss with hair and such fine threads, too; indeed, I have half a mind to become a peruquier, there, 'tis finished!" "How is his Grace, Lady Constance?"
At the moment there struck upon Mistress Penwick's ears the tramp of horses' feet, and straightway she ran to the window and leant out and saw Cedric about to ride forth. "My lord, my lord!" she cried, and dropped a rose to attract him.
Rigidly she had kept from Cantemir the knowledge of Mistress Penwick's insolvency, likewise the death of her father; knowing the condition of the count's fortunes, she feared he would retreat; his love for the maid might be of such a nature 'twas possible he would not take part in the ugly skirmish against her.
I have talked not with thee in private since thy arrival, and there is much news. Hast seen her, Constance, to talk with her?" "Whom meanest thou? There are many 'hers' in the house!" "The beauty that flew to me over seas, of course; whom else could I mean?" "Oh! oh! to be sure; the maid from Quebec. Aye, I talked with her some. Thou sayest she is Sir John Penwick's daughter?"
Buckingham assured him to the contrary, and made him acquainted with the true circumstances; not failing to tell him of Mistress Penwick's unsettled disposition; her ambitions, and intractable nature; that she was refractory and vexatious; petulant and forever thwarting Lord Cedric's advances.
"And thou, being hot-foot after most precious game, methought 'twould best serve to give thee a clue, as to the value of the secret, that thou couldst determine whether 'twas worth the finding; whether 'twas worth the leaving off pursuit of that thou art after," and the Duke threw open his waistcoat and revealed its lining of rare satin and a pocket that contained a paper written upon in a writing that made Lord Cedric start, for he recognized it as Sir John Penwick's.
"'Tis true, as I know, more than any one else, for my heart misgave me from the moment I first set eyes on thy beauteous countenance; and since I have been in wild despair, not knowing if thou hast a heart for any save thy nurse and my Lord Cedric; for 'tis to them thy heart seems bent." There was neither shadow nor movement of fair expression on Mistress Penwick's face, as she answered calmly,
He took her hand between his own and bent and kissed it tenderly, "au revoir, au revoir" he said, then turned quickly from her. Outside stood old flabby-face, as Janet pleased to call her, when alone with Katherine, but designated by the servants as Sophia. "His Ludship ordered Mistress Penwick's room changed."
The short round waist betrayed the fulness of her form, and Cedric turned his eyes away from sheer giddiness, drunk with love. He spoke to Janet with quick breath: "Bring her down to see the game." Then, suddenly, "Where are thy jewels, Kate?" He espied a casket, and hastening to it took from it rings, fitting them upon Mistress Penwick's tapering fingers, until her hand was heavy.
She was impatient for the final bout that was to settle all things. Even the haughty Duke of Buckingham was moved by Mistress Penwick's youth, beauty and innocence. And yet he thought 'twas pitiful she should go unclaimed by Court.
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