fastened in the hair.

"Not I. Let her husband give her such fooleries."

"And may I request to know what my Lady allows for making the garments?"

"Three halfpence each."

"Might I be pardoned if I remind my Lady that the usual price is
twopence each?"

"For me, perhaps; not for her."

Mistress Underdone went on measuring the linen in silence.

"There, that finishes for Clarice," said the Countess. "Now for Diana.
She may have a silver chain in addition, two of the best kerchiefs,
and--no, that is enough. Otherwise let her have just the same."

"If my Lady would graciously indulge her servant with permission to ask
it, do the maidens know yet what is to befall them?"

"No. I shall tell them on Sunday. Time enough."

And the Countess left Mistress Underdone to finish the work by herself.

"On Sunday! Only two days beforehand!" said Agatha Underdone to
herself. "Diana will stand it. She is one that would not care much for
anything of that kind, and she will rule the house. But Clarice! If
she should have given her heart elsewhere!--and I have fancied, lately,
that she has given it somewhere. That poor child!"

------------------------------------------------------------------------

"But how can we?" queried Clarice. "If I were to speak to the Lady--
even if I dared--I doubt--"

"I do not doubt, sweetheart," replied Sir Piers. "No, the path must be
rather mere winding than that, though I confess I hate tortuous paths.
Father Miles is the only person who has any influence with the Lady, and
Father Bevis is the only one who has any with him."

"But Father Bevis would have no sympathy with a love-story."

"I am not sure that he would. But my Lord will, I know; and Father
Bevis will listen to him. Leave this business to me, my fair Clarice.
If I can obtain my Lord's ear this evening after vespers, and I think I
can, we shall soon have matters in train; and I have a fine hawk for
Father Miles, which will put him in a good humour. Now, farewell, for I
hear the Lady's voice within."

The lovers parted hastily, and Clarice went in to attire herself for
mass. For any one of her maidens to be absent from that ceremony would
have been a terrible offence in the eyes of the Countess; nor would any
less excuse than serious illness have availed to avert her displeasure.
Dinner followed mass, and a visit to the shrine of Saint Edward,
concluded by vespers, occupied the remainder of the afternoon. Th