every tongue at work, clamouring her praises, Sir John Oxon saw her from
afar in all the scenes of brilliant fashion she frequented and reigned
queen of. 'Twas from afar, it might be said, he saw her only, though he
was often near her, because she bore herself as if she did not observe
him, or as though he were a thing which did not exist. The first time
that she deigned to address him was upon an occasion when she found
herself standing so near him at an assembly that in the crowd she brushed
him with her robe. His blue eyes were fixed burningly upon her, and as
she brushed him he drew in a hard breath, which she hearing, turned
slowly and let her own eyes fall upon his face.

"You did not marry," she said.

"No, I did not marry," he answered, in a low, bitter voice. "'Twas your
ladyship who did that."

She faintly, slowly smiled.

"I should not have been like to do otherwise," she said; "'tis an
honourable condition. I would advise you to enter it."




CHAPTER XI--Wherein a noble life comes to an end


When the earl and his countess went to their house in the country, there
fell to Mistress Anne a great and curious piece of good fortune. In her
wildest dreams she had never dared to hope that such a thing might be.