thank you, sir, I am well and hearty.'

'I need scarce ask the question,' Mr Sidney said. 'With your good sister's
approval, I came to inquire if you would care to fill the vacant place in
my sister the Countess of Pembroke's household. She leaves Penshurst
shortly, and will be at Leicester House before returning to Wilton. One of
her gentlewomen is summoned to her father's deathbed, and Mistress Crawley,
her bower-woman, needs help. I am not learned in the secrets of the
toilette, but you would soon learn what might be expected of you.'

'And shall I see the great show, sir--shall I see the tourney and the
knights tilting?' Lucy said, unable to repress her joy.

'Doubtless,' Mr Sidney replied laughing. 'But, Mistress Lucy, it will not
be all play. Mistress Crawley is a somewhat stern task-mistress. My sister
bade me say as much. Therefore, consider the proposal well, and consult
Mistress Gifford, than whom you cannot have a wiser counsellor.'

'Mary,' Lucy exclaimed, 'I may go to serve my Lady of Pembroke? Speak,
Mary.'

Mary Gifford now turned towards Lucy and Mr Sidney. Up to this time she had
averted her face.

'You must remember, Lucy,' she said gently, 'Mr Sidney's words. It will
not be all play, and, methinks, you have often shown impatience of control
and undue heat when your will is crossed.'

Lucy's face flushed crimson, as she answered,--

'It is not kind to say this, Mary. You know--you must know how hard it is
to please the one who rules here.'

'I know it, dear child, full well,' Mary said. 'But we must not hinder Mr
Sidney longer. It will be only right to consult our stepmother, and crave
leave of Mr Sidney to defer an answer till the morrow.'

'By all means, Mistress Gifford, do so,' Philip Sidney said.

While these words had passed between the two sisters, little Ambrose had
been curiously stroking the hilt of Mr Sidney's sword, and fingering the
wide ends of the belt which held it in its place.

'Oh,' the child said, 'I hope I shall have a sword when I am a man, and go
to battle with you, sir. Will you take me with you when I am big and
strong?'

'Will I not!' Mr Sidney said. 'The time may come when I shall want to
gather all loyal hearts round me for service. I'll not forget you, Ambrose,
if so it chances.'

'You are but a little child, my son,' Mary said, with a sudden gesture,
putting her arm round him. 'You must stay with your mother for a long, long
time, and be a dutiful son.'