Some day thou must tell her I am gone on my last journey, tell her when she is surrounded by pleasant distractions that she may not grieve. She knows naught of trouble, neither would I have her know. 'Tis possible she may have some religious ideas that are not identical with thine. She may be laden with all sorts of shrines, picture-books, candles, crosses and beads; these religion's playthings thou of sterner mould wilt hardly consider. My last wish and the one of greatest import to my child is that thou find for her a spouse of rank and fortune; 'tis my desire that she marry early to such an one. Ah, Cedric, if thou had hadst a son, their union would have been our delight; for when thou seest my Kate thou wilt see the most beautiful thing in life.' "Aye, she is the most beautiful thing in life. She is mine, my very own, her father gives her to me for marriage--marriage, and 'tis a speedy one he asks, and she shall have it. I love her, love her, my whole being throbs with mad desire. She is the sweetest maid on earth, and I drink from the cup upon which her rich, red lips have rested; ah, 'tis sweet!" He poured a bumper and drank, then flung from the room with great strides. CHAPTER III THE BALL Meanwhile Mistress Katherine sat before the fire in the tower nookery while Janet unpacked the luggage. "'Twould not be fitting for Lord Cedric to have such a man within his house as guest!" "Neither has he, Lambkin; 'tis his Lordship himself." Her voice rang truth and Katherine turned dismayed,-- "Nay, Janet, the man was a drunken fool! Surely, surely thou dost not mean thy sayings. He is not a fit person to be in so great a castle. Thou art shamming!" "I mean every word; 'tis my Lord _en masque_, for to-night there is to be a great and magnificent spectacle." "And what does that mean, Janet?" "It means there is to be a masque ball, and my Lord Cedric is in his costume, and he does not look like that at all. We may be sure he appears quite the opposite when apparelled in his usual dress." "But his tongue, he cannot change that!" "Thou wilt have to wait and see for thyself, and fortune favours, for now thou wilt not have long to wait. I saw his wicked young eyes--too young for so old a man, as it appeared--directing enamoured darts upon thee." "But art thou not afraid of so oath-beladen tongue? He is dreadfully profane!" "He has already seen his peril and will drop his oaths like jetsam and wilt come to thee with flotsamy oglings and tender nothings and bow and smirk; and thou wilt find thyself an old man's sweetheart." "Janet, can we not find some point of observation where we may look upon the maskers unseen?"