A Maid of Many Moods

found herself dressed and by the window. Her eyes ached as eyes will that have wept overnight, and her heart was heavy. Still it was not her way to think long; so she bathed in fair

her shoes, with their great silver buckles and red heels, were laced and tied, and when the frills at her wrist were settled, she lo

y a harsh word. Marry! men take not kindly to upbraiding, and hate a shrew at best o' times. So wil

om which the funereal-looking curtains were drawn back, lay Darby, in a slumber deep and unrefreshing. Now and again a heavy sigh broke from his lips. His bri

ns! 'tis worse than I thought. What a pass 't has come to that this should be Darby Thornbury. Heart o' me!" a fli

of the question for Darby, at least on the morrow. The bruise

t off some months and had cost the Company heavily in new dresses, new scenery, even new actors? Oh! was ever such a co

n for the opening day? He was at the Mermaid Inn, and peradventure 'twas best to tell him all. She grew faint at the thought. Had not Judith told her what a very fever of unrest possessed her

some one to turn to-to advise. Oh! for Nick Berwick and his fair cool judgment. Should she report at the theatre that her brother was ill? No, for he had been seen with a merry party drinking a

girl and it faded the colour from he

cold room, the great four-poster, the uneasy sleeper all faded away, and she was alone upon a high balcony in the stillness of a moonlit garden. The tree tops were silver-frosted by the light, and the nigh

ublet with tan-coloured leather. The long, soft boots were of the same, and the wide-brimmed hat bore a cluster of white plumes and a buckle of brilliants, while a small lace handk

ainly spent them, for never saw I such store o' finery! Here be two velvet tabards slashed and puffed with satin; and a short cloak o' russet silk laid upon with Flem

o' doing, but if 'tis done, 'tis done for thee, dear heart, albeit without thy consent or Dad's. There will be scant risk o' discovery-we be too much alike. People have wearied

were unmanageable, and the cordovan long boots needed stuffing at the toes. Here and there upon the suit was broidered the Lord Chamberlain's coat of arms in gold thread, and

little to cut it off. Beshrew me! If I so resemble Darby with such a cloud o' hair about me, what will I be like when 'tis trimmed to match his?" Takin

go'th a long cloak with the suit, for on that I rely to hearten my courage); also I bethink me 'twould be wise to use some strong flavoursome words to garnish my plain speech. By Saint George! now, or Gad Zooks! Heart's mercy! st

girl, Deb; but I l

together and passionately held against her lips. But it was only for a mome

would there were an understudy, but there be none. So must I

d for breakfast, walking along the hall with a firm step, for he

aited. Master Blossom started to answer the summons in a slow-footed, p

Dame Blossom herself was but just astir, and lodgers were at best but an inconsiderate lot. Cogitating on these th

chair back made no sign, unless the impatient tapping of a fas

ks! but thee art a very dai-asy, young Maister! Dost mind how 'A put 'e t

ack eye? 'twere swelled

my lively Blossom. Tie a piece on tight next time th

ttest thou th

ast. This head I have doth not feel like the head o' Darby Thornbury. 'Tis nigh to breaking. Fetch m

for breakfast after such a bout as thine o' yestere'en! I won

ool accent, "I may have small appetite for i

roisterer, a drinker an' a gambler that lives but to hear the clink o' gold against the table. Ay! Such a devil-may-care gambler, an' thou had'st

thou dost make my nerves spin with thy pra

ech. Too much wine i' thy stomach one day make

olding out a crown piece she had discovered in a pocket of the doublet

one hand a platter from which drifted a savoury smell, and a steaming flagon was in the other. Setting these d

g, mistress," Deb said shortly-"I pray t

id so witho

me"-smiling-"did'st ever

art well enow. An' thy manners matched, 'twere cause for rejoicing. Thou wer't a disgr

ngly; "say a disgrace to myself an' the company

t disgrace thou be'st to them! But what o' thy broken head, lad? Ha

ay to a short p

again, Mistress Blossom. Look well. Surely there be small triumph in befooling thee, for t

red to pale pink. "Thou giv'st me a turn, an' I be lik

e an' thou turn'st giddy. Now doth it come. See then, this handsome, well-favoured youth th

ins!" crie

marred. Beshrew me, he looks not one half as much like himself as I look like him. Now there be no understudy i' the cast for the character Darby hath taken-further, 'tis an all important one. To have him away would mean confusion and trouble to Blackf

what thou'rt coming at,"

't would have dawned on thee. Why, 'tis

Blossom, agape. "Th

ou dost not break faith, or let thy good man scent aught on the wind. But I wanted to tell thee, dear Mistress Blo

e right, for I know not. Has't

e. His consent!" with a short laugh. "Nay then-but I will show him his fac

he will. But art not afeared o' the people? W

know the play by heart. Now one thing more. I would have thee go with me to Blackfriars. The theat

yself in this an' thou can'st get out alone. I will

go and dress in maidenly clothes. These fea