"Compose yourself, my sweet child. I know you are dutiful, although somewhat timid. Do not linger on the way, but hasten to her grace; she is in the oak-room,--and see! the tapers are already lighted. Hasten, lest the supper may be served, and her grace may not be pleased if you are absent." The Lady Winifred followed old Rachael's injunctions, neither did she venture to question her any farther. Though kinder and less stern than when she had formerly opened the subject, still Rachael's manner was firm and uncommunicative, and she feared to show a curiosity which might be deemed forward or unbecoming. In ages and in countries where marriages are arranged and contracted by parental authority, love, whether lawful or unlawful, is equally treated as a feeling improper to be indulged. With trembling hands the Lady Winifred turned the lock of the high and massive door. The apartment was brilliant from the wax tapers in heavy silver sconces which illuminated it. The venerable lady was content to live in retirement; but though she inhabited only a few rooms of the rambling old castle, in those she would not dispense with any of the state to which her youth had been accustomed. She was, as usual, employed upon her carpet-work. How many serious and lofty thoughts--how many ambitious, proud, and melancholy feelings--how many sad and tender recollections--how many aspiring and loyal hopes--had passed through the mind of the noble embroideress, while her fingers had been employed in tracing the unconscious leaves and fruits!--if unrolled, it would have been to her as a journal of past thoughts and feelings! The Lady Winifred gently closed the door behind her, and timidly approached her mother. "I sent Rachael Evans to bid you hither, my child," said the duchess, as Lady Winifred stood before her: "be seated, Winifred; I have much to say to you. I have just received a letter from your brother, informing me that he will be here to-morrow by mid-day, and with him the Earl of Nithsdale, who accompanies him from Scotland. He is a nobleman of undoubted loyalty and gallant bearing, and one to whom I shall feel proud and happy in committing the welfare of my child. He is to become your husband, my dear Winifred; your king, your surviving parent, and your brother, have chosen him for you: so prepare yourself to receive him with such maidenly attention as may be fitting in one of your noble birth." The Lady Winifred answered not; but the tears stood in her eyes, and at length flowed down her cheeks. "What mean these tears?" resumed the duchess, when she observed them. "Oh, nothing, madam; only the news is sudden, and I scarcely know----" "You scarcely know what, my child?" "I scarcely know how I should comport myself on such an occasion. Is he--is the Earl of Nithsdale--a person--such a person--is he a good man?" the Lady Winifred faltered forth.