"And why so?--I mean, why do they keep a coil about her?" said

Tressilian.

"Why, I wot not," answered the host, "except that men say she is as

beautiful as an angel, and no one knows whence she comes, and every one

wishes to know why she is kept so closely mewed up. For my part, I never

saw her--you have, I think, Master Goldthred?"

"That I have, old boy," said the mercer. "Look you, I was riding hither

from Abingdon. I passed under the east oriel window of the old mansion,

where all the old saints and histories and such-like are painted. It was

not the common path I took, but one through the Park; for the postern

door was upon the latch, and I thought I might take the privilege of an

old comrade to ride across through the trees, both for shading, as the

day was somewhat hot, and for avoiding of dust, because I had on my

peach-coloured doublet, pinked out with cloth of gold."

"Which garment," said Michael Lambourne, "thou wouldst willingly make

twinkle in the eyes of a fair dame. Ah! villain, thou wilt never leave

thy old tricks."

"Not so-not so," said the mercer, with a smirking laugh--"not altogether

so--but curiosity, thou knowest, and a strain of compassion withal; for

the poor young lady sees nothing from morn to even but Tony Foster, with

his scowling black brows, his bull's head, and his bandy legs."

"And thou wouldst willingly show her a dapper body, in a silken

jerkin--a limb like a short-legged hen's, in a cordovan boot--and a

round, simpering, what-d'ye-lack sort of a countenance, set off with a

velvet bonnet, a Turkey feather, and a gilded brooch? Ah! jolly mercer,

they who have good wares are fond to show them!--Come, gentles, let

not the cup stand--here's to long spurs, short boots, full bonnets, and

empty skulls!"

"Nay, now, you are jealous of me, Mike," said Goldthred; "and yet my

luck was but what might have happened to thee, or any man."

"Marry confound thine impudence," retorted Lambourne; "thou wouldst not

compare thy pudding face, and sarsenet manners, to a gentleman, and a

soldier?"

"Nay, my good sir," said Tressilian, "let me beseech you will not

interrupt the gallant citizen; methinks he tells his tale so well, I

could hearken to him till midnight."

"It's more of your favour than of my desert," answered Master Goldthred;

"but since I give you pleasure, worthy Master Tressilian, I shall

proceed, maugre all the gibes and quips of this valiant soldier, who,

peradventure, hath had more cuffs than crowns in the Low Countries. And

so, sir, as I passed under the great painted window, leaving my rein

loose on my ambling palfrey's neck, partly for mine ease, and partly

that I might have the more leisure to peer about, I hears me the lattice

open; and never credit me, sir, if there did not stand there the person

of as fair a woman as ever crossed mine eyes; and I think I have looked

on as many pretty wenches, and with as much judgment, as other folks."




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