Her ladyship dispensed with ambassadors, and went in person to convey her orders to her husband's ward, and to enforce them.
"What's this I am told ?" quoth she, as she sailed into Hortensia's room.
"Do my wishes count for nothing, that you send me pert answers by my woman ?" Hortensia rose.

She had been sitting by the window, a book in her lap.
"Not so, indeed, madam.

Not pert, I trust.

I am none so well, and I fear the sun." "'Tis little wonder," laughed her ladyship; "and I'm glad on't, for it shows ye have a conscience somewhere.

But 'tis no matter for that.