"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."




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