Suddenly Lady Kate caught sight of the casket, and exclaimed:
“Heavens, what beautiful jewels!”
“Where?” asked the little Lady Amelia. “I don’t see them.”
“There—on the table,” replied Lady Kate.
And they all rushed forward to look at them.
For a few minutes nothing was heard but rap-turous exclamations.
Charmed by this display, Engracia in the most obliging manner begged each of them to select an ornament.
“Oh! no—no—no!” they all cried, drawing back.
“You will deprive me of a great pleasure if you refuse,” said the good-natured Spanish maiden.
“But we can’t possibly accept such magnificent presents,” replied the Lady Henriette.
“Will you deign to accept a single pearl each?” said Engracia.
The two younger girls consulted their elder sister by a look.
While they hesitated, Engracia took three pearls from a string, and gave one to each.
“I would willingly do more, if you would allow me,” she said, smiling.
“You have done far too much already,” rejoined Lady Henriette. “These are lovely pearls. We must show them to the countess, our mother, and if she will allow us, we will gladly accept them.”
They then retired, but the little Lady Amelia would not quit the room till she had kissed her new friend.
Contrary to expectation, the countess did not object to the gifts. Like her daughters she was charmed by the winning and ingenuous manner of the fair Spaniard, and would not mortify her by a refusal.
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V
Love and Jealousy
THE countess had been questioning Standish as to her lord’s plans, and though she naturally felt some anxiety as to the result of the meditated attack on Lancaster, she allowed no doubt to appear in her looks.
“If Lancaster falls, Preston will soon follow,” she said; “and then my lord will once more be master of that part of the country. Of late, the rebels have been gaining ground, but a defeat like this will be a great check to them. I am sorry his lordship felt compelled to burn that Spanish ship.”
“The step was unavoidable, madam,” replied Standish. “Had the rebels succeeded in securing the guns, Lancaster might have held out for a month.”
“But what has become of the unfortunate captain and his crew?” inquired the countess.
“The captain and lieutenant are with his lordship,” replied Standish. “As to the crew they will doubtless join our ranks.”
“When do you return?” she demanded.
“Not till to-morrow,” he replied. “Horses and men will then be fresh. I shall set out at day-break, and hope to rejoin his lordship near Lancaster.”
“It is well,” said the countess. “You shall take a letter from me to him.”
Just then, her daughters entered the hall, and showed her the presents they had received from the fair Spaniard.
“She is as generous as a princess,” observed the countess, smiling.
“I hope she will remain with us a long time,” said Amelia. “I am sure I shall love her very much.”
“Yes, we all like her,” said Lady Kate.
“I do not wonder at it,” remarked the countess. “But she may not wish to remain here.”
“I think she does,” said Lady Henriette.
The hour had now arrived at which the countess attended evening service in the chapel, and she therefore proceeded thither with her daughters. She was followed by Standish and several of the household, and Gertrude soon afterwards joined the little train.
The chapel was situated in the inner court, and was capable of containing a great number of persons. A large pew on the left near the altar was occupied by the countess and her daughters. Gertrude sat with them. The body of the chapel near the door was crowded with musketeers, in front of whom were Captains Standish, Chisenhale, Ogle, and Molineux Radcliffe. The service was admirably performed by Doctor Rutter.
When the congregation came forth, Standish repaired to the stables to give some orders to his men, and was returning through the inner court, when he perceived Gertrude at a distance and tried to overtake her, but she hurried on, and avoided him.
According to custom supper was served at eight o’clock in the great banquet-hall. Among the company were Don Fortunio and his daughter, with all the officers of the garrison. Don Fortunio sat on the right of the countess, and Standish contrived to obtain a place near Engracia. Gertrude was likewise present, but she sat at the other end of the table, and never looked towards them.