Monmouth. The boy was so filled with good sense I am sure, Mistress,
he spoke truly and that we are within a very great man's house. I
found old flabby, and she took me to a cosy little room with a table
ready spread. So come, my Lambkin, when his Lordship finds not a baby
but a rare gem for his costly setting, his heart will bound with
pleasure and he will regret he did not prepare for a great lady
instead of an infant."

Timorously the maid followed Janet through intricate windings to the
broad stairway.

"Janet, take me through the servants' passage for this once!"

"Nay, thou art a lady, and as such must keep to the grand aisles." So
on they went traversing lofty corridors. In one of these they suddenly
came upon a young gallant of youthful beauty; a mould of elegance and
strength; his countenance was flushed and shaded by curling black hair
that fell loose upon his shoulders. In his shapely, white, bejewelled
fingers he held a blood-red rose, and as his eyes fell upon the most
beautiful face he had ever beheld, he caught his breath and held the
rose to his face to hide his devouring glances as she swept by him
under the soft light cast by the sconces above her head. In a moment
he was upon the stairway, breathless and panting, and leaning over,
dropped the rose at her feet. Her face grew as rosy as the thing
itself, but passing on made none other sign.

"'Tis a conquest thou hast made the first hour, and thou acknowledged
thy victory with naught but a modest maiden blush. But, Lambkin, his
body was not a match for thine; 'twas inclined to be too slender. I
shall pick for thee a beau like Sir Williams's Romeo."

They had now come to where the table awaited Katherine, and Janet
bustled about handing things for her mistress' convenience; then
hurried out to send in the warm food from the oven.

"Janet, didst say the bird was a pheasant?--'Tis grand tasting!"

"Aye, Mistress, and there was a score of other things that I would not
let thee eat; 'twould make pimples on thy snowy neck and shoulders."

"Dost think perchance the young man upon the stairway was the Duke
of Monmouth? He was very handsome, Janet, I think he was very, very
handsome."

"Thou dost have the names of the great upon thy tongue as commonly
as thou sayest Janet; 'tis more than probable he is a country squire
and--"

"Dear Janet, go get thy supper and get back to me, for I would rather
remain here alone than in yonder chamber. 'Tis grand