PROLOGUE
Jane deLacey went along the passage
from the Great Hall to her private chamber, her book of Latin grammar under her
arm; she was not in a good mood.
Once in her chamber she slammed the
door behind her and hurled the book to the floor!
“Fie on’t!”
she shouted, “And cursed be the day that ever the Latin tongue was first
uttered! And cursed be this day in my
life! Never has my Governess used me so
shrilly, and all for an idle glance out the window when mine eyes should have
been on my studies. The lesson
concluded, to my worthy Mother did I speed, to see an I could solace find
in her words and looks, but, engrossed in her household duties, she
dismissed me without so much as a sidelong glance. It is ever thus with her! Oh, that I could be glad of my family! Father
is always at court, attending the Queen, and my brother does sport with me most
cruelly when so e’er he is home.”
She sighed, put the book on the
table, went to her bed and picked up the doll that was lying on it.
“Thou,
Nell,” she said, wistfully, “thou, my poppet, art my sole comfort and bosom
companion. Oh, that there were in this
household other girls with whom I was allowed to be playfellows.”
She sighed deeply, and hugged Nell
to her.
“Oh, that I
lived among those who did care for me, and showed me love! Oh, for girls my own age to be friends
withal. Oh, that I had a tutor who would
make learning the joy it should be!”
She put Nell on the bed.
“The day is
warm and fair, and I would walk awhile in the parkland hard by. ‘Twill soothe my spirit and put me in better
humour ere I sup. Stay thou there, Nell,
and when I return, we shall have a carefree time of it, and brave adventures
shall we share, thou and I!”
Jane turned and left the chamber.
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