of September, Madam.'

'And this is the twenty-sixth. More news will sure be here ere long, and
another victory assured, if it please God. May He protect my brothers in
the fight. But, Lucy, I rejoice to hear of your sister's happiness in the
recovery of her child; and now, in due course, I trust my brother's
faithful servant and friend, Master Humphrey, will have the reward of his
loyalty.'

'Yes, Madam; I hope Mary may, as you say, reward Humphrey.'

'And you, Lucy; sure Master George is worthy that you should grant him his
reward also.'

Lucy's bright face clouded as the Countess said this, and a bright crimson
flush rose to her cheeks.

'Dear Madam,' she said, 'I shrink from giving a meagre return for such
faithful love. Sure ere a woman gives herself to a man till death, she
should make certain that he is the one in all the world for her.'

'I will not contradict this, Lucy; but many women misjudge their own
hearts, and--'

Lady Pembroke hesitated. Then, after a pause, she said,--

'There are some women who make their own idol, and worship it. After all,
it is an unreality to them, because unattainable.'

'Nay, Madam,' Lucy said, with kindling eyes. 'I crave pardon; but the
unattainable may yet be a reality. Because the sun is set on high in the
heavens, it is yet our own when warmed by its beams and brightened by its
shining. True, many share in this, but yet it is--we cannot help it--ours
by possession when we feel its influence. Methinks,' the girl said, her
face shining with a strange light--'methinks I would sooner worship--ay,
and love--the unattainable, if pure, noble and good, than have part and lot
with the attainable that did not fulfil my dream of all that a true knight
and noble gentleman should be.'

Lady Pembroke drew Lucy towards her, and, looking into her face, said,--

'May God direct you aright, dear child! You have done me and mine good
service, and the day, when it comes, that I lose you will be no day of
rejoicing for me. When first you entered my household I looked on you as a
gay and thoughtless maiden, and felt somewhat fearful how you would bear
yourself in the midst of temptations, which, strive as we may, must beset
those who form the household of a nobleman like the Earl, my husband. He
makes wise choice, as far as may be, of the gentlemen attached to his
service; but there is ever some black sheep in a large flock, and
discretion is needed by the gentlewomen who come into da