At the moment, Caspar, the sole attendant spirit, that day at least,
upon his lord's commands, stood in one of the deep windows behind
the crimson cloth, more than twenty feet above the heads of the
assembly. The windows were connected by a narrow gallery in the
thickness of the wall, communicating also with the minstrels'
gallery, by means of which, and a ladder against the porch, Caspar
could come and go unseen.
As lord Herbert spoke, Mr. Moyle came up on the dais, and brought
his report that mistress Amanda Fuller was not with the rest of the
ladies.
Lord Herbert turned to his wife.
'My lady,' he said, 'mistress Amanda is of your people: knowest thou
wherefore she cometh not?'
'I know not, my lord, but I will send and see,' replied lady
Margaret.--'My lady Broughton, wilt thou go and inquire wherefore
the damsel disregardeth my lord of Worcester's commands?'
She had chosen the gentlest-hearted of her women to go on the
message.
Lady Broughton came back pale and trembling--indeed there was much
pallor and trembling that day in Raglan--with the report that she
could not find her.
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