f your Grace."

"Well said. Not that thou shouldst make much difference. Had I a mind
to fight for the door or the window, I could soon be quit of such a
white-faced chit as thou. Ah me! to what end? That time is by, for me.
Well! so they went off in grand array? I saw them. If Godfrey
Foljambe buy his wife a new quirle, and his daughter-in-law a new gown,
every time they cry for it, he shall be at the end of his purse ere my
cushion yonder be finished broidering. Lack-a-day! I would one of you
would make an end thereof. I am aweary of the whole thing. Green and
tawny and red--red and tawny and green; tent-stitch down here, and
satin-stitch up yonder. And what good when done? There's a
cushion-cover more in the world; that is all. Would God--ah, would God,
from the bottom of mine heart, that there were but one weary woman
less!"

"My dear Lady!" said Perrote, sympathisingly.

"Ay, old woman, I know. Thou wouldst fain ask, Whither should I go? I
know little, verily, and care less. Only let me lie down and sleep for
ever, and forget everything--I ask but so much. I think God might let
me have that. One has to wake ever, here, to another dreary day. If
man might but sleep and not wake! or--ah, if man could blot out thirty
years, and I sit once more in my mail on my Feraunt at the gate of
Hennebon! Dreams, dreams, all empty dreams! Come, child, and lay by
this wimple. 'Tis man's duty to hie him abed now. Let's do our duty.
'Tis all man has left to me--leave to do as I am bidden. What was that
bruit I heard without, an half-hour gone?"

Amphillis, in answer, for Perrote was unable to speak, told the story of
Agatha's mischievous trick. The Countess laughed.

"'Tis right the thing I should have done myself, as a young maid," said
she. "Ay, I loved dearly to make lordly, sober folks look foolish.
Poor Father Jordan, howbeit, was scarce fit game for her crossbow. If
she had brought Avena Foljambe down, I'd have given her a clap on the
back. Now, maid, let us see how thou canst braid up this old white hair
for the pillow. 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. "Now then
we are p