--So I drink good-night, and sweet dreams to you, in another
parting cup of sack; and you shall hear tidings of me within four-and-
twenty hours. And, once more, I commend you to your pillow, my pearl
of pearls, and Marguerite of Marguerites!"
So saying, she kissed the reluctant cheek of her young friend, or
patroness, and took her departure with the light and stealthy
pace of one accustomed to accommodate her footsteps to the purposes of
dispatch and secrecy.
Margaret Ramsay looked after her for some time, in anxious silence. "I
did ill," she at length murmured, "to let her wring this out of me;
but she is artful, bold and serviceable--and I think faithful--or, if
not, she will be true at least to her interest, and that I can
command. I would I had not spoken, however--I have begun a hopeless
work. For what has he said to me, to warrant my meddling in his
fortunes?--Nothing but words of the most ordinary import--mere table-
talk, and terms of course. Yet who knows"--she said, and then broke
off, looking at the glass the while, which, as it reflected back a
face of great beauty, probably suggested to her mind a more favourable
conclusion of the sentence than she cared to trust her tongue withal.
CHAPTER IX
So pitiful a thing is suitor's state!
Most miserable man, whom wicked fate
Hath brought to Court to sue, for _had I wist_,
That few have found, and many a one hath miss'd!
Full little knowest thou, that hast not tried,
What hell it is, in sueing long to bide:
To lose good days that might be better spent;
To waste long nights in pensive discontent;
To speed to-day, to be put back to-morrow;
To feed on hope, to pine with fear and sorrow;
To have thy Prince's grace, yet want her Peers';
To have thy asking, yet wait many years;
To fret thy soul with crosses and with cares--
To eat thy heart through comfortless despairs.
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