But before she could find him, her right arm was caught from behind, the gesture nearly oversetting her. Madeline’s eyes were twinkling. “Alys, you will never guess how much we have risen in the world! Her highness wishes to retire soon, and we are to attend her. Lady Emlyn tells me that it is a great honor to be admitted to the royal bedchamber.” “I must first find my brother,” Alys said desperately, straightening the sleeve of her gown, which Madeline, in her excitement, had disarranged. Madeline looked at her closely. “Are you well?” she demanded, adding before Alys could answer, “You must be well, for there is no time to be ill, and there is no time to be looking for brothers either. We must go.” With that she fairly dragged Alys along with her, chattering as she went. “Did you know we are to be paid forty pounds a year? ’Tis more than I have ever had of my very own before. Why, ’tis a fortune!”
