Its carved oak and noble rooms and galleries were all of its past splendours that remained.

All had been sold that could be sold, and all the outcome had been spent.

The county, indeed, wondered where Mistress Clorinda's fine clothes came from, and knew full well why she was not taken to court to kneel to the Queen.

That she was waiting for this to make her match, the envious were quite sure, and did not hesitate to whisper pretty loudly.
The name of one man of rank and fortune after another was spoken of as that of a suitor to her hand, but in some way it was discovered that she refused them all.

It was also known that they continued to worship her, and that at any moment she could call even the best among them back.