"Seen no more, certainly; but many were the jewels and costly the
tirings she sent from foreign parts to my lady's firstborn," continued
Robin.
"And to me she sent baubles,--not baubles either," added Barbara, "but
things too costly for one in my state. Her last gift was the most
precious in my sight--a gold cross, and along the top these words--'Thy
God shall be my God;' and down the centre--'Thy people my people!' It
gave me great consolation; it was like a token of resignation and peace,
and a wonderful working of God's providence." And after she had so said,
she went out of the room, to conceal the emotion she always felt when
speaking of the Jewish lady.
"So it was undoubtedly," rejoined Robin, who had not noted Barbara's
departure.
"Despite your bravery, Master," said the seaman, "I think you have got a
touch of the past times yourself; I have not heard the breath of an oath
from either?"
"Hush!" replied Robin, looking round the room, and right pleased to find
that Barbara was absent: "were it only to avoid giving her pain, it
would ill become either of us to blaspheme Him in whom we trust."
"And so you say," commenced Dalton, uniting the thread of the discourse,
which had been broken, "that Sir Walter and Lady Cecil are seldom seen
at court? I heard this before, but not for certain."
"Seldom, you may well say," returned Springall; "the king presented Lady
Castlemaine to the Lady Constantia, at one of the drawing-rooms; and our
right noble dame declared it was the last she would ever attend. It was
said that the king spoke to Sir Walter about it; and I think it likely,
as he knew him abroad so well. And Sir Walter was even more high on the
matter than his lady had been; and the king jested, and said it was only
the court fashion; to which Sir Walter returned for answer, that,
however it might be the court fashion, it was scarce courtly to present
an immodest to a modest woman. With that the king chafed, and said he
supposed Lady Constantia's friendship for Dame Frances Russell was
stronger than her loyalty, for she regarded Cromwell's daughter, both as
RICH and RUSSELL, more than she did his favour. And Sir Walter, making a
low bow, replied that Lady Constantia had little thought to displease
her king by her attachment to a lady who had once been honoured by the
offer of his hand. Upon which the king bit his lip, turned upon his
heel, and spoke no farther word to Sir Walter Cecil."