"Hear then my present answer, my lord," said Eveline Berenger, rising from her seat. "To-morrow I proceed to the Benedictine nunnery at Gloucester, where resides my honoured father's sister, who is Abbess of that reverend house. To her guidance I will commit myself in this matter." "A fair and maidenly resolution," answered De Lacy, who seemed, on his part, rather glad that the conference was abridged, "and, as I trust, not altogether unfavourable to the suit of your humble suppliant, since the good Lady Abbess hath been long my honoured friend." He then turned to Rose, who was about to attend her lady:--"Pretty maiden," he said, offering a chain of gold, "let this carcanet encircle thy neck, and buy thy good will." "My good will cannot be purchased, my lord," said Rose, putting back the gift which he proffered. "Your fair word, then," said the Constable, again pressing it upon her. "Fair words are easily bought," said Rose, still rejecting the chain, "but they are seldom worth the purchase-money." "Do you scorn my proffer, damsel?" said De Lacy: "it has graced the neck of a Norman count." "Give it to a Norman countess then, my lord," said the damsel; "I am plain Rose Flammock, the weaver's daughter. I keep my good word to go with my good will, and a latten chain will become me as well as beaten gold." "Peace, Rose," said her lady; "you are over malapert to talk thus to the Lord Constable.--And you, my lord," she continued, "permit me now to depart, since you are possessed of my answer to your present proposal. I regret it had not been of some less delicate nature, that by granting it at once, and without delay, I might have shown my sense of your services." The lady was handed forth by the Constable of Chester, with the same ceremony which had been observed at their entrance, and she returned to her own castle, sad and anxious in mind for the event of this important conference. She gathered closely round her the great mourning veil, that the alteration of her countenance might not be observed; and, without pausing to speak even to Father Aldrovand, she instantly withdrew to the privacy of her own bower. CHAPTER THE TWELFTH. Now all ye ladies of fair Scotland, And ladies of England that happy would prove, Marry never for houses, nor marry for land, Nor marry for nothing but only love. FAMILY QUARRELS. When the Lady Eveline had retired into her own private chamber, Rose Flammock followed her unbidden, and proffered her assistance in removing the large veil which she had worn while she was abroad; but the lady refused her permission, saying, "You are forward with service, maiden, when it is not required of you." "You are displeased with me, lady!" said Rose. "And if I am, I have cause," replied Eveline. "You know my difficulties--you know what my duty demands; yet, instead of aiding me to make the sacrifice, you render it more difficult."