Joscelyn shook her head. "That would not do; for without grief there would be no pity, and without pity there would be no love, and life without love were not worth the living." "Love? What do you know of love?" Betty asked, looking up quickly. "You vain little minx! do you think Cupid wasted all his arrows on you and Eustace?" "N-o; but Joscelyn--" "'But, Joscelyn,'" mimicked the other, still laughing; "from the doubt in your voice one would think you were own daughter to that biblical Thomas whose faith was so small. Trust me, Cupid has saved a shaft in his quiver for me." "You are such a queer girl, Joscelyn; one never knows how to take you. You sorrowed for Richard so vehemently at first--do you--can you mean that you care just a little for him?" "My dear, I was much more in love with Richard dead than I am ever like to be with Richard alive. You see, Death is not unlike charity: it covers a multitude of faults." "You heartless creature!" And Betty got up and took her frame to another window. But she could never stay angry long, partly because of her gentle disposition, and partly because she knew that much of Joscelyn's seeming heartlessness was in truth but mischievous banter; and so their heads were close together again very soon, while their needles wrought silken poppies or blue-eyed violets into the meshes of canvas on their frames. And while they thus talked and sewed, a horseman came galloping down the streets. A great commotion followed in his wake; for he rode with a free rein and so rapidly withal that his horse's hoofs struck sparks from the loose stones of the street. Straight to Mistress Clevering's door he went, and springing down stayed not to knock or parley, but entering without ceremony and meeting the astonished lady in the hall, hugged her with a will. "Why--it is--Richard--Richard!" Her voice was half choked with giving back his kisses, but it reached the two girls in the parlour who, startled at first into silence, threw down their needles and rushed headlong into the hall, and, before they realized it, were kissed by the newcomer in a rapturous greeting.