He was heavy-hearted to note the grievous change in her.
"Your mistress, I fear, is ill, Agatha," he said to the tire-woman, when the Lady Maude had sought her chamber.
The maid looked aslant at him with laughing eyes.

"It is not an illness that kills," quoth she.
"Pray God not!" he cried.

"But tell me, Agatha, what it is that ails her ?" "Methinks that I could lay my hand upon another who is smitten with the same trouble," said she, with the same sidelong look.

"Canst not give a name to it, and thou so skilled in leech-craft ?" "Nay, save that she seems aweary." "Well, bethink you that it is but three days ere you will all be gone, and Castle Twynham be as dull as the Priory.

Is there not enough there to cloud a lady's brow ?" "In sooth, yes," he answered; "I had forgot that she is about to lose her father." "Her father!" cried the tire-woman, with a little trill of laughter.