”that depends on how well acquainted you are there, ma’m. Maybe you’d like better to have a man drive, and just let me go along to mind the baby for you.”

“Yes, I would,” said Cassandra, gladly.

“Thank you. I’ll run for the ponies now, ma’m.”

Cassandra heard her boots clatter rapidly down the wooden stairs at the back of the house, and presently saw her dashing across the inn yard, bareheaded and with her bare arms rolled in her apron.

The girl’s manner of receiving the statement that she wished to drive to the castle was not lost on Cassandra’s sensitive spirit. She sat a moment, thoughtful and sad, then rose and set herself to prepare carefully