"A woman's hate; thy rival hast given thee the first token of
success." They had reached the tower chamber and Janet began to
prepare her mistress for bed.

"I cannot understand thee, I cannot grasp thy meaning."

"Neither would I have thee understand; for if I took from thee thy
innocent mind, I would deprive thee of thy best weapon. Thou hadst
better chatter of thy poor, grey frock thou wilt don on the morrow."

Katherine stood before a small mirror divested of her outer garments.
The soft white thing that bound her graceful, sloping shoulders, had
fallen loose displaying her glorious white neck and bosom. Janet
caught the mirrored reflection and understood and answered,--

"Nay, thou hast no pulpy blisters, neither shalt have while I feed
thee on pap and rub thee with oil; nor yet a flat chest for thy
shoulders are sunk from prominence by its fulness."

"Shall I wear a low bodice thus, Janet?"

"Aye, Lambkin."

"And high-heeled boots and stays,--I must have stays before I appear
at my lord's table."

"Thou shalt not have that 'twould squeeze thy beauteous mould." The
faithful Janet unbound her nursling as if she had been a tiny babe and
swathed her in a soft, warm thing, and bade her get to bed. Katherine
jumped to the middle and lay panting, with happy eyes that had naught
of sleep in them, until on a sudden Janet's voice rung like a menace
on her ears.

"Thou hast forgotten thy rosary; thou hast neither said an _Ave Maria_
or a _Pater Noster_ since our arrival. Thou wouldst neglect thy
religion, and 'tis thy own, sweet precious self that will pay the
penalty."

"Nay, nay, Janet, I will say them ten times to make up for my
forgetfulness." She sprung from her bed.

"To bed, to bed; thou shalt not kneel upon the floor in this ice-bound
chamber. Here, take thy beads and say them once and close thy azure
eyes." Janet watched until the wax-like lids drooped, then softly made
fast the doors. She flung herself into a great chintz-covered chair
and fell asleep before the bright fire.

CHAPTER IV

HIS LORDSHIP'S PROPOSAL

She did not waken until aroused by the grinding of wheels upon the
gravel beneath the window. A servant brought coals and wood and
built a roaring fire that warmed her chilled bones. She ordered her
mistress' breakfast for eleven o'clock, and locking the door upon the
retreating lackey, settled herself in the chair again and fell asleep.
She was next awakened by a smart rap upo