They soon joined company, and Master John Manners, together with his
friend, Sir Everard Crowleigh, had soon passed through the pleasant
formality of an introduction to one of the prettiest and wealthiest
heiresses in England.

John Manners, who plays a prominent part in this veracious narrative,
was the nephew of the Earl of Rutland. As he reverently kissed the
dainty hand which Dorothy held out to him he was so smitten with the
charm of her beauty that Cupid led him, an unresisting captive, to
yield his heart to the keeping of the maid. He was deeply smitten,
nor was Dorothy herself insensible to the more masculine beauty of the
scion of the house of Rutland, for as his dark, flashing eyes met her
own, in spite of herself, she felt the power of a strange attraction
which drew her towards him. The sprightly god of love had already done
his work, and, although perhaps neither of them was aware of the fact,
they were each being bound by his chains.

It was a case of love at first sight.




CHAPTER II.

A JEALOUS HEART AND CRAFTY.

He that sows in craft does reap in jealousy.

MIDDLETON.