ob at her heart
when in Sir Philip's presence. He was still her ideal of all that was noble
and pure and courteous; her true knight, who, having filled her childish
and girlish dreams, still reigned supreme.

There are mysteries in the human heart that must ever remain unfathomable,
and it is not for us to judge one another when we are confronted by them,
and can find no clue to solve them.

Lucy Forrester's romantic love for Sir Philip Sidney had worked her no ill;
rather, it had strengthened her on the way; and from that night when she
and Mary Gifford had exchanged their secrets she had striven to keep her
promise, and to be, as she had said she wished to be, really good.

The atmosphere of Lady Pembroke's house had helped her, and had been an
education to her in the best sense of the word.

'Fare you well, sir,' she said. 'I must hasten to find Mistress Crawley. We
came hither to the city for something wanted from a shop ere we start on
our journey; but I craved leave to go to the Cathedral for a few minutes.
This is how you found me, sir, there.'

There was something in Lucy's voice which seemed to betray anxiety as to
whether Sir Philip might think she was alone in Salisbury; and something
of relief when she exclaimed,--

'Ah, there is Mistress Crawley!' as she tripped away to meet her, Sir
Philip repeating as she left him,--'Fare you well, Mistress Lucy. _Au
revoir._'

CHAPTER XI

LUMEN FAMILIAE SUAE

'Was ever eye did see such face?
Was never ear did hear that tongue?
Was never mind did mind his grace,
That ever thought the travail long?
But eyes, and ears, and every thought,
Were with his sweet perfections caught.'

SPENSER.

Penshurst Castle never, perhaps, wore a more festive air than when in the
November days of lengthening twilight and falling leaves, Sir Philip
Sidney's friends and relatives gathered under the hospitable roof to
congratulate him on his appointment to the Governorship of Flushing and
Rammekins, the patent having been granted at Westminster on the seventh day
of the month.

Sir Philip had taken leave of the Queen after she had honoured him by
standing as godmother to his little daughter. He had now brought her and
her mother to Penshurst to leave them there in safety, till he had arranged
for their reception at Flushing, and found proper accommodation for them.

It was a goodly company that assembled in the grand old hall on the