The Project Gutenberg EBook of Mistress Penwick, by Dutton Payne

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Title: Mistress Penwick

Author: Dutton Payne

Release Date: May 4, 2004 [EBook #12256]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISTRESS PENWICK ***

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Josephine Paolucci and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.

MISTRESS PENWICK

BY

DUTTON PAYNE

Contents

CHAPTER I THE URSULINE LOSES A PUPIL

CHAPTER II THE LORD OF CRANDLEMAR

CHAPTER III THE BALL

CHAPTER IV HIS LORDSHIP'S PROPOSAL

CHAPTER V BACCHUS AND BACCHANTES

CHAPTER VI JANET'S PHILOSOPHY

CHAPTER VII THE BRANTLE

CHAPTER VIII THE ANCIENT MONASTERY

CHAPTER IX SIR JULIAN POMPHREY

CHAPTER X WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BUTLERY

CHAPTER XI JACQUES DEMPSY

CHAPTER XII CASTLE AND MONASTERY

CHAPTER XIII AS NINE TOLLED FROM THE CHAPEL BELFRY

CHAPTER XIV SERMONS NEW AND OLD

CHAPTER XV THE EDICT OF BUCKINGHAM

CHAPTER XVI BUCKINGHAM'S ADVENTURE

CHAPTER XVII TELLS OF THE DOINGS OF ALL CONCERNED

CHAPTER XVIII AT MONMOUTH'S VILLA

CHAPTER XIX WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COACH

CHAPTER XX UNPROCLAIMED BANNS

CHAPTER XXI THE ESPOUSAL

CHAPTER XXII CEDRIC IN THE TOILS

CHAPTER XXIII THE COCOANUTS OF THE KING'S CELLAR

CHAPTER XXIV WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TOWER

CHAPTER XXV THE GARDEN OF YOUTH

CHAPTER I

THE URSULINE LOSES A PUPIL

"If the ship sails at dawn, then I must hasten to tell my mistress of the departure, and—of her father's letter."

"I am loath to let yonder tide take her away so soon, Janet."

"But my master's words are a positive command to leave Quebec at once," and Janet's eyes fell to the imperative line at the close of her letter which read: "In God's name, good nurse, take my baby to England in all haste."

"Aye, our noble patron's desire must be carried out!" and the Mother
Superior without further lament went from the small cell.

When the last echo of her footsteps had died away, Janet Wadham cautiously opened the inner door and passed to the cell adjoining, and to the low couch upon which lay her mistress in sound slumber.

Fondly she noted the beauty of her charge; the heavy waving hair gleaming in the fading light a bronze-like amber, the white forehead, the arched brow, the glow of health upon lip and cheek, the slender neck, the slope of shoulders, and the outline of a perfect form.

Then the maid stirred and opened her eyes. Her whole body thrilled with the awakening.

"Ah, 'twas like the bursting of a bud! How dost feel now, Mistress?"

"I am not ill at all. I am a martyr to thy imagination. Dost remember the time, Janet, I drowsed in the chapel and thou didst make me drink bitterwort for a fortnight?" and the girl's voice rung out in soft laughter.

"Aye, I have not forgotten, nor why thou wert drowsy either, Mistress
Penwick."

"Nay, thou didst not know."

"I did so. Thou hadst a book of tales and read nights with the candle shaded by thy mother's landskip fan, and I gave thee aloes for thy folly."

"Thou dost always find me out, Janet; I shall be glad when I become a woman as big as thou."

"Thou art a woman to-day, and thou wilt never be as big as I; so, having age and not a hulking servant's body, be content. I have a letter from my master, and in it is much that concerns thee—"

"Isn't there always much that concerns me?"

"But not such important concernings. He has gone on a long journey and proposes one for thee, my lambkin." Katherine raised herself in bed. "Nay, thou must not stir or I hush my tale! Thy father has provided thee with a guardian and 'tis to him I take thee. We go to England by the first boat,—nay, lay back, calm thyself or I take my wagging tongue away; if thou dost so much as stir again, I leave thee. Thou art to go to a great house over there and see grand folks with fine airs and modish dress. Wilt be glad to see outside of convent walls? 'Tis nine years since I brought thee here a babe of six, and have nursed thee well to this hour, and thy strength and health and beauty show the care given thee." She suddenly arose and went to the window to hide if possible her agitation; but when she looked forth on the snow-covered city and on beyond at the long range of forest that lay low and black against the arctic sky, she turned from the gloomy scene and went again to the couch, quickly suppressing all thoughts save those that were purely selfish: she would be glad to bid adieu to this great, still northern world and leave behind forever old Quebec, even though she must divide her treasure.

"I have been a mother to thee, child, and now I must divide my rule with a cantankerous Scot—"

"Nay, a Scot and lives in England?"

"He lives in England and thy father speaks of bending somewhat thy quick temper to the mould of self-control as a safer parry to Scotch thrust; so I conclude the gentleman must be a Scot."

"Janet, 'tis these awful men that wear skirts like women. I remember many years ago when I was in Sister Agnes' room, of seeing some of those dreadful pictures of skirts and bandy-legs. They are unseemly things for men to wear; it is as though one were uncivilised. I hate him already for it!"

"Lambkin, thou must remember thy teachings. Sister Agnes would admonish thee for saying hate. Besides thou dost not know the man, he may be a second father to thee and cajole and pamper thy whims. He may even eschew plaid frocks and don modish garments—that would hide bandy-legs still less! Thy father said I must enjoin upon thee respect, for his lordship's age; regard, for his wishes, and thou art to obey his commands, as 'twas not possible for him to direct thee otherwise than good. If at any time he should find thee in fault, be the matter seemingly beneath notice, acknowledge thy wrongness, for he hath a temper and might goad thee to greater blunder. His blood flows hot and fast, and thou must cool and swage it with thy gentle dignity. Inasmuch as thy moneys and estates are in my Lord Cedric's control, thou art to receive such income from him without question. Thy father further directs perfect submission to Lord Cedric in matters of marriage, as he will bring suitors of high degree for thy choice and thou wilt find among them a lover to thy liking." The rosy red flew into the maiden's face and she trembled with a sweet new emotion she did not understand.

"This is the first time thou hast ever spoken to me of lovers, Janet. Indeed very strange things seem to be happening to-day. I feel like a bird about to fly