Thus there were only a very few minutes for adieux, and, as Richard
had felt, this was best for all, even the anxious mother. Cicely ran
about with the rest in the stress of preparation, until Humfrey,
hurrying upstairs, met her coming down with a packet of his lace
cuffs in her hands.

He caught the hand on the balusters, and cried, "My princess, my
princess, and art thou doing this for me?"

"Thou hast learnt fine compliments, Humfrey," said Cis, trying to do
her part with quivering lips.

"Ah, Cis! thou knowest but too well what hath taught me no fine words
but plain truth. Fear me not, I know what is due to thee. Cis, we
never used to believe the tales and ballads that told of knights
worshipping princesses beyond their reach, without a hope of more
than a look--not even daring to wish for more; Cis, it is very truth.
Be thou where thou wilt, with whom thou wilt, there will be one ready
to serve thee to the uttermost, and never ask aught--aught but such
remembrance as may befit the brother of thy childhood--"

"Mistress Cis," screamed one of the maids," madam is waiting for
those cuffs."

Cis ran down, but the squeeze and kiss on the hand remained, as it
were, imprinted on it, far more than the last kiss of all, which he
gave, as both knew and felt, to support his character as a brother
before the assembled household.