At this point the hangings were suddenly lifted, and something which seemed to Maude the very Queen of the Fairies crept out and stood before them. Juana stopped and courtesied, an act which Maude was too fascinated to imitate. "Whither go you, Dona Juana?" asked the vision. "In good sooth, this is the very little maid I saw a-washing the pans. Art come to sit under the cloth of estate in my stead?" Little Maude gazed on her Fairy Queen, and was silent. "What means your Grace, Dona Constanca?" asked Juana. "What is thy name, and wherefore earnest hither?" resumed Constance, still addressing herself to Maude. "Maude," said the child shyly. "Maude! That is a pretty name," pronounced the little Princess. "The Senora Infanta, your Grace's mother, will have me essay to learn the maid needlework," added Juana in explanation. "Leave me learn her!" said Constance eagerly. "I can learn her all I know; and I am well assured I can be as patient as you, Dona Juana." "At your Ladyship's feet," responded Juana quietly, using her customary formula. She felt the suggestion highly improper and exceedingly absurd, but she was far too great a courtier to say so. "Come hither!" said Constance gleefully, beckoning to Maude. "Sue [follow] thou me unto Dame Agnes de La Marche her chamber. I would fain talk with thee." Maude glanced at Juana for permission. "Sue thou the Senorita Dona Constanca," was the reply. "Be thou ware not to gainsay her in any thing." There was little need of the warning, for Maude was completely enthralled. She followed her Fairy Queen in silence into the room where Dame Agnes still sat spinning. "Sit thou down on yonder stool," said Constance. "My gracious Ladyship will take this giant's chair. (I have learned my lesson, Dame Agnes.) Now--where is thy mother?" "A fathom underground." "Poor Maude! hast no mother?--And thy father?" "Never had I." "And thy brethren and sustren?" [Sisters.] "Ne had I never none." "Maiden!" interjected Dame Agnes, "wist not how to speak unto a damosel of high degree? Thou shalt say `Lady' or `Madam.'" "`Lady' or `Madam,'" repeated Maude obediently. "How long hast washed yonder pans?" asked Constance, leaning her head on the arm of the chair. "`Lady' or `Madam,'" answered Maude, remembering her lesson, "by the space of ten months." "The sely hilding!" [sely=simple, hilding=young person of either sex] exclaimed Agnes; while Constance flung herself into another attitude, and laughed with great enjoyment. "Flyte [scold] her not, Dame Agnes. I do foresee she and I shall be great friends." "Lady Custance! The dirt under your feet is no meet friend ne fellow [companion] for the like of you." "Truly, no, saving to make pies thereof," laughed the little Princess. "Nathless, take my word for it, Maude and I shall be good friends."