As I arranged her dress for her, I saw that she wore sackcloth next her skin, and a cross with sharp edges turned inward, which had left their mark on her tender bosom. Alas! Poor lady, my heart bleeds for her! [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER X. _A SON AND HEIR._ _November 9._ SO many things have changed since I wrote last, that I hardly know where to begin. My Lady is safe, that is the great thing, and has a fine sturdy pair of twin boys, to every one's great delight. I think it is my luck to have to do with twins. Then my engagement with Walter is openly acknowledged and sanctioned, too, by everybody concerned, and I am now treated quite as a daughter of the house, though I go on mine old way with Betty. Lady Jemima hath been very sick, but is, I hope, in a way to recover. And we are at last the best friends in the world. It all came about in this wise. My Lady had been ailing for a good many days, and kept her chamber for the most part. I had partly promised to ride to the revels at Langham with my Lord, Mr. Penrose and his sister, a very pretty and pleasant young lady, lately come out of Cornwall to visit him. I confess I looked forward to the jaunt with some pleasure, for I love seeing new places and people, and I have been very quiet since I came hither. But the evening before we were to set out, my Lady sent for me to her room. I found her lying on the couch, with no other light but that from the fire, and she beckoned me to a low seat by her side. "Margaret," said she, "is your heart very much set on going to these revels to-morrow?" "No, my Lady," I answered: "not set upon it at all, if you wish me to stay at home." "I fear I am very selfish in asking it," continued my dear Lady, taking my hand in hers, and stroking it with her slender fingers: "but, sweetheart, if the disappointment will not be too grievous, I should like to have you stay. I am not well, and I am very fanciful—and I have learned to depend very much upon you, my dear. Maybe I shall not ask much more of you in this world." "My dearest Lady, don't say so," said I, kissing her hand, and hardly able to speak as quietly as I know that I ought, for the lump that rose in my throat. "It will be no disappointment for me to stay at home, since you desire it. I shall be glad to do so." "Mr. Penrose will be ready to say hard things of me, I fear," said my Lady. "I don't think he will mind," I answered. "They are to join the party from Fulton Manor, you know, so Mrs. Kitty will not want for company or countenance." "Do you really think he is looking in that direction?" asked my Lady. "I told her that I did, and I was very glad, both for his sake and Mrs. Priscilla's." "'Tis just as well, as things have fallen out," said my lady, sighing a little, methought, "but I gave Mr. Penrose credit for more constancy. Then, my dear, I will break this matter to my Lord to-night, and save you any trouble about it.