Page 27 (1/2)

Joanna, as darning some fine linen, rose and made her respects with

perfect co, either for Mrs Gordon or

her nephew; and many of their ways appeared to her utterly foolish, and

not devoid of sin But Katherine trembled and blushed with pleasure and

excitement, and Mrs Gordon watched her with a certain kind of curious

delight Her hair was combed backward, plaited, and tied with a ribbon;

her arms bare to the shoulders, her black bodice and crimson petticoat

neatly shielded with a linen apron: and poised in one hand she held a

beautiful silver flagon covered with raised figures, which with patient

labour she had brought into shining relief

"Oh," cried the visitor, "that is indeed a piece of plate worth looking

at! Surely, child, it has a history,--a romance perhaps La, there are

words also upon it! Pray,as to read the

inscription;" andwith pride and pleasure, read it

aloud,-"'Hoog van Moed,

Klein van Goed,

Een zwaard in de hand:

Is 't wapen van Gelderland'"