also, some walking to and fro, some standing talking, many looking down
at the arrivals as they came up.

"'Tis Mistress Wildairs," these murmured as they saw her. "Clorinda, by
God!" said one of the older men to his crony who stood near him. "And
crowned with roses! The vixen makes them look as if they were built of
rubies in every leaf."

At the top of the great staircase there stood a gentleman, who had indeed
paused a moment, spellbound, as he saw her coming. He was a man of
unusual height and of a majestic mien; he wore a fair periwig, which
added to his tallness; his laces and embroiderings were marvels of art
and richness, and his breast blazed with orders. Strangely, she did not
seem to see him; but when she reached the landing, and her face was
turned so that he beheld the full blaze of its beauty, 'twas so great a
wonder and revelation to him that he gave a start. The next moment
almost, one of the red roses of her crown broke loose from its fastenings
and fell at his very feet. His countenance changed so that it seemed
almost, for a second, to lose some of its colour. He stooped and picked
the rose up and held it in his hand. But Mistress Clorinda was looking
at my Lord of Dunstanwolde, who was moving through the crowd to greet
her. She gave him a brilliant smile, and from her lustrous eyes surely
there passed something which lit a fire of hope in his.

After she had made her obeisance to her entertainers, and her birthday
greetings to the young heir, he contrived to draw closely to her side and
speak a few words in a tone those near her could not hear.

"To-night, madam," he said, with melting fervour, "you deign to bring me
my answer as you promised."