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But though she kept as much apart from the great World of Fashion as
she could, she contrived to know of all her sister's triumphs; to
see her when she went forth in her bravery, though 'twere but to
drive in the Mall; to be in her closet with her on great nights when
her tirewomen were decking her in brocades and jewels, that she
might show her highest beauty at some assembly or ball of State.
And at all these times, as also at all others, she knew that she but
shared her own love and dazzled admiration with my Lord
Dunstanwolde, whose tenderness, being so fed by his lady's unfailing
graciousness of bearing and kindly looks and words, grew with every
hour that passed.
They held one night a splendid assembly at which a member of the
Royal House was present. That night Clorinda bade her sister
appear.
"Sometimes--I do not command it always--but sometimes you must show
yourself to our guests. My lord will not be pleased else. He says
it is not fitting that his wife's sister should remain unseen as if
we hid her away through ungraciousness. Your woman will prepare for
you all things needful. I myself will see that your dress becomes
you. I have commanded it already, and given much thought to its
shape and colour. I would have you very comely, Anne." And she
kissed her lightly on her cheek--almost as gently as she sometimes
kissed her lord's grey hair. In truth, though she was still a proud
lady and stately in her ways, there had come upon her some strange
subtle change Anne could not understand.
On the day on which the assembly was held, Mistress Anne's woman
brought to her a beautiful robe. 'Twas flowered satin of the sheen
and softness of a dove's breast, and the lace adorning it was like a
spider's web for gossamer fineness. The robe was sweetly fashioned,
fitting her shape wondrously; and when she was attired in it at
night a little colour came into her cheeks to see herself so far
beyond all comeliness she had ever known before. When she found
herself in the midst of the dazzling scene in the rooms of
entertainment, she was glad when at last she could feel herself lost
among the crowd of guests. Her only pleasure in such scenes was to
withdraw to some hidden corner and look on as at a pageant or a
play. To-night she placed herself in the shadow of a screen, from
which retreat she could see Clorinda and Dunstanwolde as they
received their guests. Thus she found enjoyment enough; for, in
truth, her love and almost abject passion of adoration for her
sister had grown as his lordship's had, with every hour. For a
season there had rested upon her a black shadow beneath which she
wept and trembled, bewildered and lost; though even at its darkest
the object of her humble love had been a star whose brightness was
not dimmed, because it could not be so whatsoever passed before it.
This cloud, however, being it seemed dispelled, the star had shone
but more brilliant in its high place, and she the more passionately
worshipped it. To sit apart and see her idol's radiance, to mark
her as she reigned and seemed the more royal when she bent the knee
to royalty itself, to see the shimmer of her jewels crowning her
midnight hair and crashing the warm whiteness of her noble neck, to
observe the admiration in all eyes as they dwelt upon her--this was,
indeed, enough of happiness.
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