separated!'"

"'Twas a happy wording; for if thou shouldst meet him, thou wilt
fall but two-thirds in love, whereas, if otherwise worded 'twould be
altogether."

"Thou art giving my heart an evil reputation; for after all 'tis not
so easy won."

"'Tis true, as I know, more than any one else, for my heart misgave
me from the moment I first set eyes on thy beauteous countenance; and
since I have been in wild despair, not knowing if thou hast a heart
for any save thy nurse and my Lord Cedric; for 'tis to them thy heart
seems bent." There was neither shadow nor movement of fair expression
on Mistress Penwick's face, as she answered calmly,--

"Thou sayest well. I love my nurse--she has been mother too, and I
honour Lord Cedric as a good man should be honoured, and one whom my
father chose to be his daughter's guardian and holder in trust of her
estates."

"Estates"--'twas a grand word and went straight to Cantemir's heart;
for 'twas something to espouse so beautiful a maiden that had demesne
as well.

Katherine was listening to the chords of the organ, and she bent
forward eagerly. Her thoughts flew back to the convent where she had
enjoyed a pure religious life undisturbed by the trammels of the great
outer world.