of
a--"--something unmannerly--"is not so great a fool. As for me, I mean
to make a fine marriage and be a great lady, and I know of none
hereabouts to suit me but the old Earl of Dunstanwolde, and 'tis said he
rates at all but modest women, and, in faith, he might not find breeches
mannerly. I will not hunt in them again."

She did not, though once or twice when she was in a wild mood, and her
father entertained at dinner those of his companions whom she was the
most inclined to, she swaggered in among them in her daintiest suits of
male attire, and caused their wine-shot eyes to gloat over her boyish-
maiden charms and jaunty airs and graces.

On the night of her fifteenth birthday Sir Jeoffry gave a great dinner to
his boon companions and hers. She had herself commanded that there
should be no ladies at the feast; for she chose to announce that she
should appear at no more such, having the wit to see that she was too
tall a young lady for childish follies, and that she had now arrived at
an age when her market must be made.

"I shall have women enough henceforth to be dull with," she said. "Thou
art but a poor match-maker, Dad, or wouldst have thought of it for me.
But not once has it come into thy pate that I have no mother to angle in
my cause and teach me how to cast sheep's eyes at bachelors. Long-tailed
petticoats from this time for me, and hoops and patches, and ogling over
fans--until at last, if I play my cards well, some great lord will look
my way and be taken by my shape and my manners."

"With thy shape, Clo, God knows every man will," laughed Sir Jeoffry,
"but I fear me not with thy manners. Thou hast the manners of a baggage,
and they are second nature to thee."

"They are what I was born with," answered Mistress Clorinda. "They came
from him that begot me, and he has not since improved them. But
now"--making a great sweeping curtsey, her impudent bright beauty almost
dazzling his eyes--"now, after my birth-night, they will be bettered; but
this one night I will have my last fling."

When the men trooped into the black oak wainscotted dining-hall on the
eventful night, they found their audacious young hostess awaiting them in
greater and more daring beauty than they had ever before beheld. She
wore knee-breeches of white satin, a pink satin coat embroidered with
silver roses, white silk stockings, and shoes with great buckles of
brilliants, revealing a leg so round and strong and delicat