ce arch, the door being--as is yet sometimes seen in old
inns--at the side of the arch running beneath the house. A man in
livery came forward to take the horses.

"Well, Master Saint Oly," said he; "here you be!"

"I could have told thee that, Sim," was the amused reply. "Is all well?
Sir Godfrey at home?"

"Ay to the first question, and No to the second."

"My Lady is in her bower?"

"My Lady's in the privy garden, whither you were best take the damsel to
her."

Sim led the horses away to the stable, and Saint Oly turned to
Amphillis.

"Then, if it please you, follow me, my mistress; we were best to go to
my Lady at once."

Amphillis followed, silent, curious, and a little fluttered.

They passed under the entrance arch inwards, and found themselves in a
smaller garden than the outer, enclosed on three sides by the house and
its adjacent outbuildings. In the midst was a spreading tree, with a
form underneath it; and in its shade sat a lady and a girl about the age
of Amphillis. Another girl was gathering flowers, and an elderly woman
was coming towards the tree from behind. Saint Oly conducted Amphillis
to the lady who sat under the tree.

"Dame," said he, "here, under your good leave, is Mistress Amphillis
Neville, that is come to you from London town, to serve her you wot of."

This, then, was Lady Foljambe. Amphillis looked up, and saw a tall,
handsome, fair-complexioned woman, with a rather grave, not to say
stern, expression of face. "Good," said Lady Foljambe. "You are
welcome, Mistress Neville. I trust you can do your duty, and not giggle
and chatter?"

The girl who sat by certainly giggled on hearing this question, and Lady
Foljambe extinguished her by a look.

"I will do my best, Dame," replied Amphillis, nervously.

"None can do more," said her Ladyship more graciously. "Are you aweary
with your journey?"

"But a little, Dame, I thank you. Our stage to-day was but short."

"You left your friends well?" was the next condescending query.

"Yes, Dame, I thank you."

Lady Foljambe turned her head. "Perrote!" she said.

"Dame!" answered the elderly woman.

"Take the damsel up to your Lady's chambers, and tell her what her
duties will be.--Mistress Neville, one matter above all other must I
press upon you. Whatever you see or hear in your Lady's chamber is
never to come beyond. You will company with my damsels, Agatha--" with
a slight move of her head towards the girl at her