"My lord, dost remember the night thou didst have dancers from London? Lady Constance sat late with Mistress Penwick, and at last complained of thirst and they two stole below stair and I followed, and as if by accident Lady Constance brought Mistress Katherine to the curtained archway, and she saw thee swaying in thy cups, and after a while my lady led mistress to her room while she hastened away to a room apart and donned the garb of one of the dancing maids and came to thee as a gipsy, and she told thee false things concerning Mistress Penwick--" "Is what thou sayest true, or is't thou art going mad?" "'Tis true, my lord, as Mistress Penwick will tell thee if thou carest to ask." "And Constance would do such an act?--" he spoke half aloud and incredulously,--"Nay, I cannot and do not believe it! Thou must have dreamt it, Janet,--and yet,--I did have like visions!--Thou art right; no one shall see thy mistress, no one, mind, but Angel and her Grace. 'Tis possible the king may send for me within a few days; and if so, I must go and leave thee to fight the battle alone. Art able, Janet?" "Trust me, my lord." "I can trust thee, good Janet. Look after her health; keep the windows open for fine air, but let her not go from her chamber. How thinkest thou she will take such imprisonment?" "She will be angry, but so proud she will not petition for freedom; she may even brag 'tis to her liking to be so rid of thee." "'Sdeath, Janet, thy tongue can cut! Dost believe she cares a jot for my anger?" "Nay, not a jot, for 'tis the outcome of love, and 'tis my noble lady Innocence that is well aware that thy anger will fall to spray when she hath a notion to turn the tide." "Nay, not again shall she win from me aught but cold looks 'til she hath a mind to espouse me;--and yet my mind was made up to marry, whether she consented or not; for the time has come when the one who waits will wait still, and the one who rushes on, will take the prize, whether by foul or fair means;--but nothing can be done to-night. In the meantime I will steel my heart to harsh deeds, and, by God! I will bear out my course. Janet, go now to thy mistress, and should I be despatched for before I see thee again, there will be no one here to defend her as thou canst do. Thou must not allow the servants to attend upon her; thou must do it all thyself--a sweet duty! so, 'tis left thee to defend with thy quick wit." 'Twas near noon the next day that Mistress Penwick arose and would prepare her for a ride to the village, when Janet told her of the imprisonment imposed upon her for safety. She at once became angry and accused her nurse of being a traitor and tool for Lord Cedric.