ter,
and made its mark upon the upper classes. "Religion, long despised and
contemned by the titled and the great" writes Withrow, "began to receive
recognition and support by men high in the councils of the nation. Many
ladies of high rank became devout Christians. A new element of
restraint, compelling at least some outward respect for the decencies of
life and observances of religion, was felt at court, where too long
corruption and back-stair influence had sway."

Like all of his kind, no matter what the century, Tresham is more than
delighted at the thought of an alliance between his house and the noble
house to which Mertoun belonged. The youth of Mildred was no obstacle,
for marriages were frequently contracted in those days between young
boys and girls. The writer's English grand-father and mother were married
at the respective ages of sixteen and fifteen within the boundaries of
the nineteenth century.

The first two scenes of the play present episodes thoroughly
illustrative of the life lived by the "quality."

ACT I

SCENE I.--_The interior of a lodge in LORD TRESHAM'S park. Many
Retainers crowded at the window, supposed to command a view of the
entrance to his mansion._

_GERARD, the warrener, his back to a table on which are flagons, etc._

_1st Retainer._ Ye, do! push, friends, and then you'll push down me!
--What for? Does any hear a runner's foot
Or a steed's trample or a coach-wheel's cry?
Is the Earl come or his least poursuivant?
But there's no breeding in a man of you
Save Gerard yonder: here's a half-place yet,
Old Gerard!

_Gerard._ Save your courtesies, my friend.
Here is my place.

_2nd Retainer._ Now, Gerard, out with it!
What makes you sullen, this of all the days
I' the year? To-day that young rich bountiful
Handsome Earl Mertoun, whom alone they match
With our Lord Tresham through the country side,
Is coming here in utmost bravery
To ask our master's sister's hand?

_Gerard._ What then?

_2nd Retainer._ What then? Why, you, she speaks to if she meets
Your worship, smiles on as you hold apart
The boughs to let her through her forest walks
You, always favorite for your no deserts
You've heard, these three days, how Earl Mertoun sues
To lay his heart and house and broad lands too
At Lady Mildred's feet: and while we squeeze
Ourselves into a mousehole lest we miss
One congee of the least page in hi