"Pretty Barbara in meditation!" she exclaimed;--"but this is no time to ask upon what or why. What is the meaning of your lady's sudden resolve?" "What resolve, madam?" "Why, a resolve to marry Sir Willmott Burrell within this week." Barbara was panic-struck: she remained silent for a few minutes, and then clasping her hands, implored Lady Frances to do--she knew not what. "Ah! she will die, my lady, she will die! for who could live married to such a man? He is, indeed, a fearful husband for such a one. My lady, I know she does not love him--she never did--never could. I have heard her say in her sleep----" "What, good maid?" asked Lady Frances eagerly, and with her usual curiosity. But the habitual integrity of Barbara's mind was awakened: with tears and sobs she replied,-- "What I must not, as a true girl, repeat. I crave your pardon, my lady, but it would ill become me to speak of what is said in sleep: only, dear, dear lady, if you love my dear mistress--if her life be dear to you--prevent, if possible, this marriage." CHAPTER XV. And them beside a ladie faire he saw, Standing alone on foote in foule array; To whom himself he hastily did draw, To weet the cause of so uncomely fray, And to depart them, if so be he may. SPENSER. The Lady Frances Cromwell was not likely to keep secret, grief or any thing else she had the power of disclosing: forthwith she proceeded to assail Constance Cecil with a torrent of exclamations and expostulations, to support which no inconsiderable degree of philosophy was requisite. The intention, however, sanctified the deed, and Constance, for some time, only pressed her hand in reply: at length she said,-- "You see me, dearest Frances, at present under much depression:--a dark cloud is over me; but, I entreat you, heed it not. I am about to do what is right, and not even the commands of his Highness, your father, could prevent it, if indeed you were to act upon the hint you have given me, and procure his interference. My fate is sealed, irrevocably sealed! And do you wonder that I tremble at the change I am about to undergo, the awful change, from maid to wife? Barbara, good maid, let me see no more of tears, but smiles, as in past times. And now I entreat you both, sweet friends, (for that humble girl has a heart formed by tenderness for what is more exalted--friendship,) leave me. You, my dear Lady Frances, will to-day, for my sake, and for his, be as much as possible with my father; he must grieve at this parting--it is but natural;--and you, girl--there, go to your embroidery." Barbara looked into her lady's face, seized her hand, and pressed it alternately to her heart and lips.