So Mary rallied herself, and in five minutes more was as eager in
giving her directions to Cicely and to the Curlls as though her heart
had not recently failed her.

Cis was to go forth with her chaperons, not by any means enjoying the
message to Babington, and yet unable to help being very glad to
escape for ever so short a time from the dull prison apartments.
There might be no great faith in her powers of diplomacy, but as it
was probable that Babington would have more opportunity of conversing
with her than with the Curlls, she was charged to attend heedfully to
whatever he might say.

Sir Ralf's son-in-law, Mr. Somer, was sent to escort the trio to the
hall at the hour of noon; and there, pacing the ample chamber, while
the board at the upper end was being laid, were Sir Ralf Sadler and
his guest Mr. Babington. Antony was dressed in green velvet slashed
with primrose satin, setting off his good mien to the greatest
advantage, and he came up with suppressed but rapturous eagerness,
bowing low to Mrs. Curll and the secretary, but falling on his knee
to kiss the hand of the dark-browed girl. Her recent courtly
training made her much less rustically awkward than she would have
been a few months before, but she was extremely stiff, and held her
head as though her ruff were buckram, as she began her lesson. "Sir,
I am greatly beholden to you for this token, but if it be not sent
with the knowledge and consent of my honoured father and mother I may
not accept of it."

"Alas! that you will say so, fair mistress," said Antony, but he was
probably prepared for this rejection, for he did not seem utterly