The White Lady of Hazelwood: A Tale of the Fourteenth Century. Emily Sarah Holt

      Amphillis acknowledged her name.

      “You have father and mother?”

      “I have nothing in the world,” said Amphillis, with a shake of her head, “save an uncle and cousins, which dwell in London town.”

      “Ha!” said Mistress Perrote, in a significant tone. “That is wherefore you were chosen.”

      “Because I had no kin?” said Amphillis, looking up.

      “That, and also that you were counted discreet. And discreet you had need be for this charge.”

      “What charge?” she asked, blankly.

      “You know not?”

      “I know nothing. Nobody would tell me anything.”

      Mistress Perrote’s set features softened a little.

      “Poor child!” she said. “You are young—too young—to be given a charge like this. You will need all your discretion, and more.”

      Amphillis felt more puzzled than ever.

      “You may make a friend of Marabel, if you choose; but beware how you trust Agatha. But remember, as her Ladyship told you, no word that you hear, no thing that you see, must be suffered to go forth of these chambers. You may repeat nothing! Can you do this?”

      “I will bear it in mind,” was the reply. “But, pray you, if I may ask—seeing I know nothing—is this lady that I shall serve an evil woman, that you caution me thus?”

      “No!” answered Mistress Perrote, emphatically. “She is a most terribly injured—What say I? Forget my words. They were not discreet. Mary, Mother! there be times when a woman’s heart gets the better of her brains. There be more brains than hearts in this world. Lay by your hood and mantle, child, on one of those hooks, and smooth your hair, and repose you until supper-time. To-morrow you shall see your Lady.”

      Note 1. Sad, at this time, did not mean sorrowful, but serious.

      Note 2. These are the duties of a bower-woman, laid down in the Books of Courtesy at that time.

      Note 3. Then a very expressive word, including both morals and manners.

      Note 4. A private sitting-room for ladies.