e. Well, Avena, to come down to such petty matter
as I count I shall be suffered to have, prithee, bring me some violet
silk of this shade for broidery, and another yard or twain of red
samitelle for the backing. It were not in thy writ of matters
allowable, I reckon, that the pedlars should come up and open their
packs in my sight?"

Lady Foljambe looked scandalised.

"Dear heart! Dame, what means your Grace?"

"I know," said the Countess. "They have eyes, no less than I; and they
shall see an old woman in white doole, and fall to marvelling, and maybe
talking, wherefore their Lord King Edward keepeth her mewed up with bars
across her casement. His Grace's honour must be respected, trow. Be it
done. 'Tis only one penny the more to the account that the Lord of the
helpless shall demand of him one day. I trust he hath in his coffers
wherewith to pay that debt. Verily, there shall be some strange
meetings in that further world. I marvel something what manner of tale
mine old friend De Mauny carried thither this last January, when he went
on the long journey that hath no return. Howbeit, seeing he wedded his
master's cousin, maybe it were not to his conveniency to remind the Lord
of the old woman behind the bars at Hazelwood. It should scantly
redound to his lord's credit. And at times it seemeth me that the Lord
lacketh reminding, for He appears to have forgot me."

"I cannot listen, Dame, to such speech of my Sovereign."

"Do thy duty, Avena. After all, thy Sovereign's not bad man, as men go.
Marvellous ill they go, some of them! He hath held his sceptre well
even betwixt justice and mercy on the whole, saving in two matters,
whereof this old woman is one, and old women be of small account with
most men. He should have fared well had he wist his own mind a bit
better--but that's in the blood. Old King Harry, his father's
grandfather, I have heard say, was a weary set-out for that. Go thy
ways, Avena, and stand not staring at me. I'm neither a lovesome young
damsel nor a hobgoblin, that thou shouldst set eyes on me thus. Three
ells of red samitelle, and two ounces of violet silk this hue--and a bit
of gold twist shall harm no man. Amphillis, my maid, thou art not glued
to the chamber floor like thy mistress; go thou and take thy pleasure to
see the pedlars' packs. Thou hast not much here, poor child!"

Amphillis thankfully accepted her mistress's considerate permission, and
ran down to the hall