When Lady Diana’s woman hooked her mistress’s cloak about her ’twas at five o’clock in the morning, and of the party at the Castle every lady’s woman was performing the same office, adding hood over curls and puffs, and sticking the finest of cambric pocket-napkins into their mistress’ hands by the half dozens; for ’twas easily seen that such early rising could be for no other cause than to go forth to bathe their Ladyships’ faces in the May-dew; the which, when gathered from little copses and shadowy nooks before the sun had yet shone upon’t, was warranted to enhance that beauty which was already evident, and to create those charms which, alas! are occasionally lacking. Lady Diana spelled out her lover’s verses as best she could, tripping from door to door, and calling her young companions from their mirrors; sending a footman and a page to summon the gallants who were to accompany them in their expedition, and laughing heartily as she made out more from a footman than from Kennaston’s muse that he had betaken himself to town rather than longer incur her displeasure and her frowns. “Bless me, but my suitor’s in a fine pickle! Lud! though, I’m not disposed to have these hussies a-laying six to four on my bein’ ready to jump at his offer; still, I’d rather he’d stopped over, or else that some one most amusin’ were here; for instance Sir Robin McTart, which is not to be!” Then a-rapping at the doors, and laughter from girlish lips; pattering of heels down the hall and stair-case; out to meet the gentlemen, bowing and complimenting on the terrace; over the lawns, and through the flower-gardens, and past the offices and stables, where Lord Brookwood, even thus early, was sunning himself in the yard, and talking over county matters with Mr. Biggs, J.P. “Where to? Where to?” sings out His Lordship cheerily with hat in hand, and Mr. Biggs down to the ground before so much beauty, fashion and rank. “Off to the copse, father,” calls back Diana, “to gather the May-dew and wash our faces; when we come back you must tell us all how much more beautiful we are to-day than we were yesterday!” With which lively sally Lady Diana and the rest of ’em are crossing the hill and laughing as they pass out of sight on their two miles’ away walk to Armsleigh Copse.