“Will any one tell me what are my powers?” said she, sitting down with an air of mock dignity. “Will any one dare to say what they are not?” responded Cashel. “Have I unlimited command in everything?” “In everything, madam; I and all mine are at your orders.” “That's what the farce will end in,” whispered Lady Janet to Mrs. Kennyfeck. “Well, then, to begin. The court will dine with us today--to-morrow we will hunt in our royal forest; our private band--Have we a private band, Mr. Linton?” “Certainly, your Majesty,--so private as to be almost undiscoverable.” “Then our private band will perform in the evening; perhaps, too, we shall dance. Remember, my Lords and Ladies, we are a young sovereign who loves pleasure, and that a sad face or a mournful one is treason to our person. Come forward now, and let us name our household.” While the group gathered around the wild and high-spirited girl, in whose merry mood even the least-disposed were drawn to participate, Linton approached Lady Kilgoff, who had seated herself near a window, and was affecting to arrange a frame of embroidery, on which she rarely bestowed a moment's labor. CHAPTER II. LADY KILGOFF AT BAY I'll make her brew the beverage herself, With her own fingers stir the cap, And know't is poison as she drinks it. Harold. Had Linton been about to renew an acquaintance with one he had scarcely known before, and who might possibly have ceased to remember him, his manner could not have been more studiously diffident and respectful. “I rejoice to see your Ladyship here,” said he, in a low, deliberate voice, “where, on the last time we spoke together, you seemed uncertain of coming.” “Very true, Mr. Linton,” said she, not looking up from her work; “my Lord had not fully made up his mind.” “Say, rather, your Ladyship had changed yours,” said he, with a cold smile,--“a privilege you are not wont to deny yourself.” “I might have exercised it oftener in life with advantage,” replied she, still holding her head bent over the embroidery frame. “Don't you think that your Ladyship and I are old friends enough to speak without innuendo?” “If we speak at all,” said she, with a low but calm accent. “True, that is to be thought of,” rejoined he, with an unmoved quietude of voice. “Being in a manner prepared for a change in your Ladyship's sentiments towards me--” “Sir!” said she, interrupting, and as suddenly raising her face, which was now covered with a deep blush. “I trust I have said nothing to provoke reproof,” said Linton, coldly. “Your Ladyship is well aware if my words be not true. I repeat it, then,--your sentiments _are_ changed towards me, or--the alteration is not of _my_ choosing--I was deceived in the expression of them when last we met.”