"You should smile at that, not weep," observed Lady Frances, patting her
cheek as she would that of a petted child.
"Oh, but," said Barbara, "it was so horrid, and I was almost sorry Crisp
killed it! for it is an awful thing to destroy life, yet it was wickedly
venomous."
"Ah, my poor maid! you will have worse troubles soon than that which
bids you mourn over an adder's death."
"Do not say so, sweet lady," interrupted Barbara: "ah! do not say so:
for I feel, I can hardly tell how, so very, very sad. My poor lady, and
my poor self! and you going away, madam--you, who keep up the life of
every thing; and, though your waiting maids seem so rejoiced to get back
to the court! I don't know what I shall do, not I. I only wish----" She
paused abruptly.
"Tell me what you wish, my pretty Barbara--a new cap, kirtle, hood, or
farthingale? What, none of these!"
"I was only wishing that Robin Hays was come back, because he would
understand my troubles."
"You pay a poor compliment to my understanding, Barbara," observed Lady
Frances, with whom Barbara was at all times an especial favourite.
The simple maid courtesied respectfully, while she replied, "My lady, it
would ill become me to make free with such as you, but I have many small
causes of trouble, which, even if you did hear, you could not
comprehend. The brown wren would not go for counsel to the gay parrot,
however wise and great the parrot might be, but seek advice from another
brown wren, because it would understand and feel exactly the cares and
troubles of its own kind."
"What a little fabulist thou art, pretty Barbara! But, if you had been
at court, you would not have likened a lady to a parrot."
"Not to a parrot!" repeated Barbara; "such a beautiful bird! that looks
so handsome and talks so well!"
"No: but here is a parting present for you, my fair maid; a chain of
gold. Stay, I will clasp it on your slender neck myself; and listen to
me, Barbara. The daughters of the Protector of England would be ill
worthy their father's name or their father's honours, did they not seek
to protect the women of their country, and to keep them in virtue and
innocence, as he protects the men, and guides them to war and victory,
or to peace and honour! Would to God, fair girl, that, notwithstanding
your simplicity, the maidens of Britain were all as right-minded and
gentle as yourself! As a proof how highly I value your faithful and true
affection, I bestow upon you an ornament I have long worn, not to feed
your vanity (for we are all vain, more or less,) but to strengthen your
principles. If ever you should encounter real sorrow, and I can aid you,
send me the clasp of this chain, and I will attend to your request, be
it what it may." Lady Frances turned from her with more gravity of
aspect and more dignity of demeanour than was her custom, and proceeded
to look after the arrangements for her friend's nuptials.