sensual, the envious, the eager, the pert, the dignified, the brave, the anxious, the confident--but none so noble as that face of my lord. "Is our Queen meditating?" I started, for he was beside me. "It is my first ball," I said, "and I am wondering at the pretty sight of so many happy and merry people." "Their merriment I grant," he replied. "As for their happiness, we had better perhaps agree to take that for granted." "I suppose we all agree to give ourselves up to the pleasures of the hour," I said. "Can we not be happy, even if we have a care which we try to hide?" "I hope, at least," he said, "that Miss Pleydell has no cares." I shook my head, thinking how, if all hearts were opened and all secrets known, there would be wailing instead of laughter, and my lord and myself would start asunder with shame on my part and loathing on his. "Yes," he said; "an assembly of people to please and to be pleased is a charming sight. For a time we live in an atmosphere of ease and contentment, and bask at the feet of the Queen of Hearts." "Oh, my lord!" I said, "do not pay me compliments: I am only used to plain truth." "Surely that is the honest truth," he said. "To be Queen of the Wells is nothing, but to be the Queen of Hearts is everything." "Nay, then," I returned, blushing, "I see I must put myself under the protection of Mr. Walsingham." The old beau was hovering round, and gave me his hand with a great air of happiness. "From me," he said, "Miss Pleydell knows that she will hear nothing but truth. The language of gallantry with a beautiful woman is pure truth." It was eight o'clock, and country dances began. I danced one with Lord Chudleigh and one with some gentleman of Essex, whose name I forget. But I remember that next day he offered me, by letter, his hand, and eight hundred pounds a year. At nine we had tea and chocolate. Then more country dances, in which my Nancy danced with such enjoyment and happiness as made Sir Robert clap his hands and laugh aloud. At eleven all was over, mantles, hoods, and capuchins were donned, and we walked home to our lodgings, escorted by the gentlemen. The last face I saw as we entered the house was that of my lord as he bowed farewell. Cicely was waiting to receive us. "O madam!" she cried, "I was looking through the door when my lord took out miss for the minuet. Oh! oh! oh! how beautiful! how grand she did it! Sure never was such a handsome pair."