Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III The Page's Dress The bower chamber of the Lady Penelope Stafford was both large and lofty yet there was nothing there of ponderous grandeur. The walls were covered with soft arras embroidered in bright coloring skilfully blended. The rich furniture was designed for ease and comfort rather than pomp and parade. The chamber was lighted by a large window with broad casements between the mullions, and with flowing tracery above of arch and quatrefoil. On a low couch sat Lady Stafford swinging gently to and fro a delicate gold handled fan of flamingo feathers which ever and anon she laid aside to direct Francis who sat on a low stool at her feet plying some embroidery work. "So, my daughter," said the lady indicating a cross-stitch. " Take heed to thy work else thou wilt not excel with the needle.Marry, I marvel that thou dost accomplish anything with such unskilful fingers. Know- est thou not that the Queen's Majesty did fashion a shirt of cambric for her brother when she was but six years old ? I trow that that is more than thou couldst do now; and thou art more than double that age." " I crave thy forbearance, my sweet mother," pleaded Francis. " My fancy dwells not upon my task, but the rather do I wonder in what manner I may be of service to my father. Dost thou know, my mother ? " " I could make a shrewd hazard as to its nature, Francis. Content thee, child. Thou wilt soon know all." A look of anxiety crossed the lady's face as she spoke, which the girl was quick to note. " Thou art troubled, my mother. Prithee tell me the cause." " Nay, girl. Thy father will open up the matter to thy ears when he deems it best. Until then neither thou nor I may speak of it. 'Tis a woman's lot to obey, and never to question the decree of either father or husban...