allery communicated from the stairhead to the private chamber
of Constance. They met her outside the door; and the timid girl grew
pale as she beheld the officer led on by her father.

"Constance," cried he, "thy chamber smacks of treason: it must be purged
from this suspicion. This mousing owl will search the crannies even of a
woman's wits ere he sate his appetite for discovery. Hast aught plotting
in the hem of thy purfle, or in thy holiday ruff and fardingale? Come
with us, wench;--the gallant Earl of Tyrone would sport himself bravely
in thy bedchamber, pretty innocent!"

"If my gallantry were akin to mine office,--then, lady, would I spare
thy bosom and mine own nature this extremity. Believe me, thou shall
suffer no rudeness at my hands."

The officer bowed low, observing her confusion and distress.

"Go with, us," said her father, "and leave not until our search is over.
Mayhap he may find a lover in thy shoe, or in the wrinkles of thy
rose-tie." He entered the chamber as he said this. It was a little room,
tricked out with great elegance and beauty. Indian cabinets were there,
and other costly ornaments, inlaid with ivory and pearl, in the
arrangement of which, and of the other furniture, considerable taste was
displayed. A lute lay in one corner;--tambour-work and embroidery
occupied a recess near the window;--the clothes' presses showed their
contents neatly folded, and carefully set out to the best advantage.

"I'faith, wench, thy chamber seems well fitted for so goodly a brace of
guests--not a thread awry. Everything in trim order for thy gallants,
mayhap. Thou hast not been at thy studies of late.--I have seen its
interior in somewhat less orderly fashion. I marvel if it might not be
pranked out for our coming. Now, to work, sir:--where does thy grubbing
begin?"

Constance posted herself in a gloomy corner, where she could watch their
proceedings almost unperceived. She hoped that in her chamber the search
would not be so strict as in situations of more likelihood and
probability for concealment. At any rate, the common feelings of
delicacy and respect,--not quite extinct, she observed, even in this
purveyor of justice,--would prevent any very exact and dangerous
scrutiny. Nor was she deceived. He merely felt round the walls, opened
the presses and closets, but did not disturb the bed furniture. He was
retiring from the search, when her father scornfully taunted him with
the ill success of his missio