"'Ah,' she said, 'sorrow seems my portion. What is rank or riches or ducality to a happy heart!'"
"What did you say? What was that word, Eyebright?"
"Ducality. Lady Jane's father was a duke, you know."
"The knight sighed deeply, and withdrew.
"'Ah, Guildford,' murmured the Lady Jane, laying her head on the shoulder of her beloved Margaret, 'shall I indeed see you once more? It seems too good to be true.'"
Eyebright paused, and bit into her apple with an absorbed expression. She was meditating the next scene in her romance.
"So the next day and the next went by, and still the Lady Jane prayed and waited. Night came at last, and now Lord Guildford might appear at any moment. Margaret dressed her lovely mistress in the velvet robe, twined the pearls in her golden hair, and clasped the jewelled girdle round her slender waist. One snow-white rose was pinned in her bosom. Never had she looked so wildly beautiful. But still Lord Guildford came not. At last a tap at the door was heard.
"'It is he!' cried the Lady Jane, and flew to meet him.
"But alas! it was not he. A stern and gigantic form filled the door-way, and, entering, looked at her with fiery eyes. No, his helmet was shut tight. Wouldn't that be better, Bessie?"
"Oh yes, much better. Do have it shut," said the obliging Bessie.