It was a difficult task. There was scarcely any light, for she dare not leave the door open; and the mark that she put on the sheets, to know which she had carried to Prudence, was minute. And yet the sheets seemed to have been tossed into this receptacle in fairly regular order; and when at length, and after much straining of her eyes, she had got down to the marked ones, she was rejoiced to find that there remained above these a large bulk of unperused matter, and the question was as to how much it would be prudent to carry off. Further, she had to discover where there was some kind of division, so that the story should not abruptly break off; and she had acquired some experience in this direction. In the end, the portion of the play that she resolved upon taking with her was modest and small; there would be the less likelihood of detection; and it was just possible that she would have no opportunity of returning the sheets that night.
And then she quickly got in-doors, and put on her hood and muffler, and slipped out into the dusk. She found Prudence alone in the lower room, sitting sewing, the candles on the table being already lit; and some distance off, curled up and fast asleep on the floor, lay the little spaniel-gentle.
"Dear heart," said Judith, brightly, as she glanced at the little dog, "you have shown good sense after all; I feared me you would fall away from my wise counsel."
"My brother was well inclined to the little creature," Prudence said, with some embarrassment.
"And you had a right merry evening, I'll be bound," Judith continued, blithely. "And was there singing?--nay, he can sing well when he is in the mood--none better. Did he give you
'There is a garden in her face Where roses and white lilies grow,'
for Julius is more light-hearted in such matters than you are, dear mouse. And was there any trencher business--and wine? I warrant me Julius would not have his guest sit dry-throated. 'Twas a merry evening, in good sooth, sweetheart?"
"_They_ talked much together," Prudence said, with her eyes cast down.
"They talked? Mercy on us, were you not civil to him? Did you not thank him prettily for the little spaniel?"
"In a measure I think 'twas Julius took the little creature from him," Prudence said, bashfully.