e was ambitious: and there might be
some sooth-fastness in the accusation; yet I fancy the accusers loved a
slice of worldly grandeur no less than most men. And some said he was
wicked man: that did I never believe.

As for his wife, Dame Alianora, I scarcely know what to say of her. She
was a curious mixture of qualities. She clung to the King her uncle
when others forsook him, she was free-handed, and she could feel for man
in trouble: those were her good points. Yet she seemed to feel but what
she saw; it was "out of sight, out of mind," with her; and she loved new
faces rather too well to please me. I think, for one thing, she was
timid; and that oft-times causes man to appear what he is not. But she
was better woman than either of her sisters--the Lady Margaret Audley
and the Lady Elizabeth de Clare. I never saw her do, nor heard her say,
the heartless acts and speeches whereof I knew both of them guilty. I
dare say, as women go, she was not ill woman. For, alas! I have lived
long enough to know that there be not many good ones.

Well, I said--no did I?--that I would begin with the year 1324 of our
Lord God. But, lack-a-day! there were matters afore 1324, like as there
were men before Agamemnon. Truly, methinks there be a two-three I did
well not to omit: aswhasay, the dying of Queen Margaret, widow of King
Edward of Westminster, which deceased seven years earlier than so. I
shall never cease to marvel how it came to pass that two women of the
same nation, of the same family, being aunt and niece by blood, should
have been so strangely diverse as those two Queens. All that was good,
wise, and gentle, was in Queen Margaret: what was in Queen Isabel will
my chronicle best tell. This most reverend lady led a very retired life
after her husband's death, being but a rare visitor to the Court,
dwelling as quietly and holily as any nun might dwell, and winning love
and respect from all that knew her. Very charitable was she and most
devout: and (if it be lawful to say thus) had I been Pope, I had sooner
canonised her than a goodly number that hath been. But I do ill to
speak thus, seeing the holy Father is infallible, and acts in such
matters but by the leading of God's Spirit, as saith the Church. Good
lack, but there be queer things in this world! I saw once Father Philip
screw up his mouth when one said the same in his hearing, and saith he--

"The Lord Pope is infallible when he speaketh _ex cathed