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Page 52
Chapter Four
When Lady Alinor woke in her own bed two mornings later, she was at first disoriented. Then, when she realized the Queen was gone, she suffered an odd sinking sensation. This was so unusual for her, because normally she woke full of energy and enthusiasm for the tasks and amusements of each day, that she lay still to think about it. There were no unpleasant duties on hand that she could remember. In fact, the servants had been so busy and so awed by the Queen's presence that they had been unusually well behaved. There were no hangings or maimings to be done. Alinor always forced herself to go because she felt that she must be recognized as the true authority behind Sir Andre, or whichever of her vassals was dispensing the justice. That gave her a sinking feeling, but it could not be the cause of today's sensation.
She thought over the day's work in more detail. Mass and then breakfastnothing unpleasant there, surelyand then to oversee the spinning, weaving, and sewing of the maids. Alinor surprised herself by sighing. Surely it was most necessary to check upon them. She had not looked at their doings for three days at least and doubtless little had been accomplished, and that little all awry. The maids had all been too busy peeping at the great lady and hoping they would be called to do some minor service for her to pay attention to their ordinary work.
Alinor sat up and shook her head at herself. She was no better than they. There was what ailed her. She, too, had been much enlivened and shaken out

 
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