"Give me my kerchief, lace scarf, and green silk hood, and my petticoat
with the border newly purfled. Hark! 'Tis the bell for prayers. Be quick
with my pantofles:--not those, wench--the yellow silk with silver
spangles. Now my rings and crystal bracelets. I would not miss early
matins to-day for the best jewel on an alderman's thumb."
"Anon, lady," replied her waiting-woman, with a sort of pert affectation
of meekness. But what should cause Kate to be so wonderfully attentive
to her devotions was a matter on which Janet could have no suspicions,
or at least would not dare to show them if she had.
Kate, being now attired, tripped forth, accompanied by her maid. As she
passed the half-closed door of the counting-house, Timothy, with one of
his most leaden looks, full of unmeaning, stood edgeways in the opening,
his lower side in advance, with the long arm ready for action.
"Fair mistress, Master Kelly would fain have a token to-day. He hath
sent you a rare device!"
"And what the better shall I be of his mummeries?" hastily replied the
lady. Timothy drew from his large leathern purse a curiously-twisted
ribband.
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