Triumph sat
on his brow; and his cheek seemed flushed with joy at the result of his
stratagem.
The servitors appeared; and the smoking victuals were disposed in their
due order. The joints were placed at the upper end of the board, while
broth and pottage steamed out their savoury fumes from the lower end of
the table. At some distance below the master and his dame sat the male
domestics, then the females, who occupied the lower places at the feast,
except two, who waited on the rest.
The master blessed the meal, the whole company standing. The broth was
served round to the lower forms, and the meat and dainties to the
higher; but Elizabeth was still absent.
When she left the hall it was for the purpose of speaking to Gregory,
whom she found skulking and peeping about the premises.
"Gregory, why art thou absent from thy nooning?" inquired Elizabeth,
with a suspicious and scrutinising glance.
"I'm not o'er careful to bide i' the house just now. Is there aught come
that--that"--Here he stammered and looked round, confirming the
suspicions of the inquirer.
"Gregory, thou art a traitor; but thou shalt not escape thy reward.
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