ude. They were both Spanish by birth, and
they were speaking their own tongue. They said:--

"Dona Juana, is there any vacancy among my maids?"

"Senora, we live to fulfil your august pleasure."

"Do you think this child could be taught fine needlework?"

"The Infanta has only to command."

"I wish it tried, Dona Juana."

"I lie at the Infanta's feet."

The lady turned back to Maude.

"Thy name, little maid?" she gently asked.

"Maude, and your servant, Mistress," responded the child.

"Then, little Maude, have here thy treasure"--and she held forth the
leaf to her--"and thy wish. Follow this dame, and she will see if thou
canst guard gowns. If so be, and thou canst be willing and gent,
another may cleanse the pans, for thou shalt turn again to the kitchen
no more."

Little Maude clasped her hands in ecstasy.

"Our Lady Mary, and Peter and Paul, bless your Ladyship's mistresshood!
Be you good enough for to ensure me of the same?"

"Thou shalt not win back, an' thou do well," repeated the lady, smiling.
"Now follow this dame."

Dona Juana was not at all astonished. Similar sudden transformations
were comparatively of frequent occurrence at that time; and to call in
question any act of the King of Castilla's daughter would have been in
her eyes the most impossible impropriety. She merely noted mentally the
extremely dirty state of Maude's frock, calculated how long it would
take to make her three new ones, wondered if she would be very
troublesome to teach, and finally asked her if she had any better dress.
Maude owned that she possessed a serge one for holidays, upon which
Dona Juana, after a minute's hesitation, looked back into the room she
had left, and said, "Alvena!" A lively-looking woman, past girlhood in
age, but retaining much of the character, answered the call.

"Hie unto Mistress Ursula Drew, that is over the kitchen, and do her to
wit that her Grace's pleasure is to advance Maude, the scullion, unto
room [situation] of tire-woman; bid her to give thee all that 'longeth
unto the maid, and bear it hither."

Alvena departed on her errand, and Maude followed Dona Juana into fairy
land. Gorgeous hangings covered the walls; here and there a soft mossy
carpet was spread over the stone floor--for it was not the time of year
for rushes. The guide's own dress--crimson velvet, heavily
embroidered--was a marvel of art, and the pretty articles strewn on the
tables were wonders of the world.