Constance Sherwood: An Autobiography of the Sixteenth Century, Page 2

was strictly charged not to speak in their hearing of aughtthat had to do with Catholic faith and worship; and I could see atsuch times on my mother's face an uneasy expression, as if she wasever fearing the next words that any one might utter.

  In the autumn of that year we had visitors whose company was so greatan honor to my parents, and the occasion of so much delight to myself,that I can call to mind every little circumstance of their briefsojourn under our roof, even as if it had taken place butyesterday. This visit proved the first step toward an intimacy whichgreatly affected the tenor of my life, and prepared the way for thedirection it was hereafter to take.

  These truly honorable and well-beloved guests were my Lady Mounteagleand her son Mr. James Labourn, who were journeying at that time fromLondon, where she had been residing at her son-in-law the Duke ofNorfolk's house, to her seat in the country; whither she was carryingthe three children of her daughter, the Duchess of Norfolk, and ofthat lady's first husband, the Lord Dacre of the North. The eldest ofthese young ladies was of about my own age, and the others younger.

  The day on which her ladyship was expected, I could not sit withpatience at my tambour-frame, or con my lessons, or play on thevirginals; but watched the hours and the minutes in my great desire tosee these noble wenches. I had not hitherto consorted with youngcompanions, save with Edmund and John Genings, of whom I shall haveoccasion to speak hereafter, who were then my playmates, as at a riperage friends. I thought, in the quaint way in which children couple oneidea with another in their fantastic imaginations, that my LadyMounteagle's three daughters would be like the three angels, in mymother's missal, who visited Abraham in his tent.

  I had craved from my mother a holiday, which she granted on the scorethat I should help her that forenoon in the making of the pasties andjellies, which, as far as her strength allowed, she failed not to lenda hand to; and also she charged me to set the bed-chambers in fairorder, and to gather fresh flowers wherewith to adorn the parlor.These tasks had in them a pleasantness which whiled away the time, andI alternated from the parlor to the store-room, and the kitchen to theorchard, and the poultry-yard to the pleasure-ground, running asswiftly from one to the other, and as merrily, as if my feet werekeeping time with the glad beatings of my heart. As I passed along theavenue, which was bordered on each side by tall trees, ever and anon,as the wind shook their branches, there fell on my head showers of redand gold-colored leaves, which made me laugh; so easy is it for theyoung to find occasion of mirth in the least trifle when their spiritsare lightsome, as mine were that day. I sat down on a stone bench onwhich the western sun was shining, to bind together the posies I hadmade; the robins twittered around me; and the air felt soft and fresh.It was the eve of Martinmas-day--Hallowtide Summer, as our countryfolk call it. As the sun was sinking behind the hills, the tread ofhorses' feet was heard in the distance, and I sprang up on the bench,shading my eyes with my hand to see the approach of that goodlytravelling-party, which was soon to reach our gates. My parents cameout of the front door, and beckoned me to their side. I held my posiesin my apron, and forgot to set them down; for the first sight of myLady Mounteagle, as she rode up the avenue with her son at her side,and her three grand-daughters with their attendants, and manyrichly-attired serving-men beside, filled me with awe. I wondered ifher majesty had looked more grand on the day that she rode into Londonto be proclaimed queen. The good lady sat on her palfry in so erectand stately a manner, as if age had no dominion over her limbs and herspirits; and there was something so piercing and commanding in hereye, that it at once compelled reverence and submission. Her son hadsomewhat of the same nobility of mien, and was tall and graceful inhis movements; but behind her, on her pillion, sat a small counterpartof herself, inasmuch as childhood can resemble old age, and youthfulloveliness matronly dignity. This was the eldest of her ladyship'sgrand-daughters, my sweet Mistress Ann Dacre. This was my first sightof her who was hereafter to hold so great a place in my heart andin my life. As she was lifted from the saddle, and stood in herriding-habit and plumed hat at our door, making a graceful and modestobeisance to my parents, one step retired behind her grandam, with alovely color tinging her cheeks, and her long lashes veiling her sweeteyes, I thought I had never seen so fair a creature as this high-bornmaiden of my own age; and even now that time, as it has gone by, hasshown me all that a court can display to charm the eyes and enrapturethe fancy, I do not gainsay that same childish thought of mine. Hersisters, pretty prattlers then, four and six years of age, were ledinto the house by their governess. But ere our guests were seated, mymother bade me kiss my Lady Mounteagle's hand and commend myself toher goodness, praying her to be a good lady to me, and overlook, outof her great indulgence, my many defects. At which she patted me onthe cheek, and said, she doubted not but that I was as good a child assuch good parents deserved to have; and indeed, if I was as like mymother in temper as in face, I must needs be such as her hopes andwishes would have me. And then she commanded Mistress Ann to saluteme; and I felt my cheeks flush and my heart beat with joy as the sweetlittle lady put her arms round my neck, and pressed her lips on mycheek.

  Presently we all withdrew to our chambers until such time as supperwas served, at which meal the young ladies were present; and Imarvelled to see how becomingly even the youngest of them, who was buta chit, knew how to behave herself, never asking for anything, orforgetting to give thanks in a pretty manner when she was helped. Forthe which my mother greatly commended their good manners; and herladyship said, "In truth, good Mistress Sherwood, I carry a stricthand over them, never suffering their faults to go unchastised, norpermitting such liberties as many do to the ruin of their children." Iwas straightway seized with a great confusion and fear that this wasmeant as a rebuke to me, who, not being much used to company, andsomething overindulged by my father, by whose side I was seated, hadspoken to him more than once that day at table, and had also left onmy plate some victuals not to my liking; which, as I learnt at anothertime from Mistress Ann, was an offence for which her grandmother wouldhave sharply reprehended her. I ventured not again to speak in herpresence, and scarcely to raise my eyes toward her.

  The young ladies withdrew early to bed that night, and I had butlittle speech with them. Before they left the parlor, Mistress Anntook her sisters by the hand, and all of them, kneeling at theirgrandmother's feet, craved her blessing. I could see a tear in her eyeas she blessed them; and when she laid her hand on the head of theeldest of her grand-daughters, it lingered there as if to call downupon her a special benison. The next day my Lady Mounteagle gavepermission for Mistress Ann to go with me into the garden, where Ishowed her my flowers and the young rabbits that Edmund Genings andhis brother, my only two playmates, were so fond of; and she told mehow well pleased she was to remove from London unto her grandmother'sseat, where she would have a garden and such pleasant pastimes as areenjoyed in the country.

  "Prithee, Mistress Ann," I said, with the unmannerly boldness withwhich children are wont to question one another, "have you not amother, that you live with your grandam?"

  "I thank God that I have," she answered; "and a good mother she is tome; but by reason of her having lately married the Duke of Norfolk, mygrandmother has at the present time the charge of us."

  "And do you greatly love my Lady Mounteagle?" I asked, misdoubting inmy folly that a lady of so grave aspect and stately carriage should beloved by children.

  "As greatly as heart can love," was her pretty answer.

  "And do you likewise love the Duke of Norfolk, Mistress Ann?" I askedagain.

  "He is my very good lord and father," she answered; "but my knowledgeof his grace has been so short, I have scarce had time to love himyet."

  "But I have loved you in no time," I cried, and threw my arms roundher neck. "Directly I saw you, I loved you, Mistress Ann."

  "Mayhap, Mistress Constance," she said, "it is easier to love a littlegirl than a great duke."

  "And who do you affection beside her grace your mother, and my ladyyour grandam, M
istress Ann?" I said, again returning to the charge; towhich she quickly replied:

  "My brother Francis, my sweet Lord Dacre."

  "Is he a child?" I asked.

  "In truth, Mistress Constance," she answered, "he would not be wellpleased to be called so; and yet methinks he is but a child, being notolder, but rather one year younger than myself, and my dear playmateand gossip."

  "I wish I had a brother or a sister to play with me," I said; at whichMistress Ann kissed me and said she was sorry I should lack so great acomfort, but that I must consider I had a good father of my own,whereas her own was dead; and that a father was more than a brother.

  In this manner we held discourse all the morning, and, like a rudeimp, I questioned the gracious young lady as to her pastimes and