child?" half afraid to presume even this much.

"No," said Clorinda. "Do not be a fool, Anne, and carry yourself too
humbly before the world. You can be as humble as you like to me."

"I shall--I shall be your servant and worship you, sister," cried the
poor soul, and she drew near and kissed again the white hand which had
bestowed with such royal bounty all this joy. It would not have occurred
to her that a cast-off robe and riband were but small largesse.

It was not a minute after this grateful caress that Clorinda made a sharp
movement--a movement which was so sharp that it seemed to be one of
dismay. At first, as if involuntarily, she had raised her hand to her
tucker, and after doing so she started--though 'twas but for a second's
space, after which her face was as it had been before.

"What is it?" exclaimed Anne. "Have you lost anything?"

"No," quoth Mistress Clorinda quite carelessly, as she once more turned
to the contents of the oaken wardrobe; "but I thought I missed a trinket
I was wearing for a wager, and I would not lose it before the bet is
won."

"Sister," ventured Anne before she left her and went away to her own dull
world in the west wing, "there is a thing I can do if you will allow me.
I can mend your tapestry hangings which have holes in them. I am quick
at my needle, and should love to serve you in such poor ways as I can;
and it is not seemly that they should be so worn. All things about you
should be beautiful and well kept."