In two short weeks my lady loads me with kindness enough to requite the loyalty of a life.' 'Look you, cousin, that I should believe such laudation of any less than an angel ?' said his lordship with mock gravity.
'No, my lord,' answered Dorothy.
There was a moment's pause; then lord Herbert laughed aloud.
'Excellent well, mistress Dorothy!' he cried.

'Thank your cousin, my lady, for a compliment worthy of an Irishwoman.' 'I thank you, Dorothy,' said her mistress; 'although, Irishwoman as I am, my lord hath put me out of love with compliments.' 'When they are true and come unbidden, my lady,' said Dorothy.
'What! are there such compliments, cousin ?' said lord Herbert.
'There are birds of Paradise, my lord, though rarely encountered.' 'Birds of Paradise indeed! they alight not in this world.

Birds of Paradise have no legs, they say.
'They need them not, my lord.

Once alighted, they fly no more.' 'How is it then they alight so seldom ?' 'Because men shoo them away.

One flew now from my heart to seek my lady's, but your lordship frighted it.' 'And so it flew back to Paradise--eh, mistress Dorothy ?' said lord Herbert, smiling archly.
The supper bell rang, and instead of replying, Dorothy looked up for her dismissal.
'Go to supper, my lady,' said lord Herbert.