ry. In
another minute Joyce was in her arms, pouring out the whole history of
the morning. By this time Snowball's lameness had faded behind the
remembrance of the encounter on the terrace.

'Who is that man, mother? A courtier, I know, since he wears such
beautiful clothes. But wherefore comes he here? I thought I liked him,
until he kissed my hand and laughed at me, and then I detested him. I
hope I shall never see him again.' And she hid her face.

Before speaking, Mistress Purefoy left her seat and carefully closed
the casement, in order that their voices might not reach the ears of
anyone on the terrace below. Then, taking Joyce on her knee as if she
had been still a child, she explained to her that the stranger, Sir
Everard Danvers, was a well-known and favourite attendant of the
Queen's. 'And it is by her wish that he comes hither for thee,
Mignonne.'

'For me?' Joyce grew rosier than ever; 'I am too young yet to be a
Maid of Honour as thou wert in thy girlhood. What does her Majesty
know about me?' she questioned.

'Only that thou art my daughter, and that she is my very good friend.
Her Majesty knows also that, in time, thou wilt inherit some of my
Yorkshire estates; and therefore she hath sent Sir Everard to demand
thy hand in marriage for his nephew and ward, the young Viscount
Danvers, whose property marches with ours. Moreover, seeing that the
times are unsettled, her Majesty hath signified her pleasure that not
a mere betrothal, but the marriage ceremony itself, shall take place
as soon as possible in the Chapel Royal at St. James's, since the
young Viscount, thy husband to be, is attached to her suite as a
page.'

'But I am not fourteen yet,' faltered Joyce, ''tis full soon to be
wed.' A vista of endless court curtseys and endless mocking strangers
swam before her eyes, and prevented her being elated with the prospect
that would otherwise have appeared so dazzling.

Her mother stifled a sigh. 'Aye truly,' she replied, 'thy father and I
have both urged that. But her Majesty hath never forgotten the French
fashion of youthful marriages, and is bent on the scheme. She says,
with truth, that thou must needs have a year or two's education after
thy marriage for the position thou wilt have in future to fill at
Court, and 'tis better to have the contract settled first.'

Education! To be married at thirteen might be a glorious thing, but to
be sent back, a bride, for a year or two of education thereafte