en
"supposed she came from the North?" in a tone which indicated that she
considered her a variety of savage. The ladies in waiting examined and
questioned her with more curiosity than civility; and Margery's visit to
Court left upon her mind, with the single exception of King Richard's
kindness, a most unpleasant impression.

In the winter of 1396, King Richard brought home a new queen, the
Princess Isabelle of France, who had attained the mature age of eight
years. Margery watched the little Queen make her entrance into London.
She was decked out with jewels, of which she brought a great quantity
over with her, and fresh ones were presented to her at every place where
she halted. Alice, with round eyes, declared that "the Queen's Grace's
jewels must be worth a King's ransom--and would not your good Ladyship
wish to have the like?"

Margery shook her head.

"The only jewels that be worth having, good Alice," said she, "be gems
of the heart, such like as meekness, obedience, and charity. And in
truth, if I were the chooser, there be many things that I would have
afore jewels. But much good do they the Queen's Grace, poor child! and
I pray God she rest not content with gauds of this earth."

Before that winter was over, one thing, worth more than the Queen's
jewels in her eyes, was bestowed upon Margery. Something to take care
of--something to love and live for. A little golden-haired baby, which
became, so far as anything in this world could become so, the light and
joy of her heart and soul.

Margery soon learned to value at its true worth the show and tinsel of
London life. She never appeared again at Court but once, to pay her
respects to the new Queen, who received her very cordially, seated on a
throne by her husband. The small Queen of eight "hoped she was quite
well, and thought that England was a very fine country." The king spoke
to her as kindly as before, offered her ipocras [see Note 4] and spices,
and on the close of the interview, took up his little Queen in his arms,
and carried her out of the room. Margery had, indeed, no opportunity to
visit the Court again; for the young Queen was educated at Windsor, and
very rarely visited London. And Lady Marnell, tired of the hollow
glitter of high life, and finding few or none in her own sphere with
whom she could complacently associate, went back with fresh zest to her
baby and the book.

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