cleverly as he. He cannot boast greatly of one whom he never makes his
court to but in the presence of a kinswoman of ripe years. Understand
that this is to be your task."

"I will remember," Madam, answered Mistress Margery. "I will bear myself
as you command."

"That is well," said Mistress Clorinda. "I will keep you no more. You
may go."




CHAPTER VI--Relating how Mistress Anne discovered a miniature


The good gentlewoman took her leave gladly. She had spent a life in
timid fears of such things and persons as were not formed by Nature to
excite them, but never had she experienced such humble terrors as those
with which Mistress Clorinda inspired her. Never did she approach her
without inward tremor, and never did she receive permission to depart
from her presence without relief. And yet her beauty and wit and spirit
had no admirer regarding them with more of wondering awe.

In the bare west wing of the house, comfortless though the neglect of its
master had made it, there was one corner where she was unafraid. Her
first charges, Mistress Barbara and Mistress Anne, were young ladies of
gentle spirit. Their sister had said of them that their spirit was as
poor as their looks. It could not be said of them by any one that they
had any pretension to beauty, but that which Mistress Clorinda rated at