e they went, past the fine
shops of goldsmith, silversmith, and mercer. The broad thoroughfare
was thronged with gaily-dressed people, afoot and on horseback, and the
apprentices cried their masters' wares so lustily that the place rang
again. 'Twas "What d'ye lack, pretty mistress? Is it gold or jewels,
fal-lals or laces? Buy, buy, gallant sirs; knick-knacks, pretty
things, and gew-gaws for the lady!"

"Bones o' me!" gasped Johnnie, as he wriggled from the clutches of two
persevering apprentices; "an I had the fee-simple of my scrap of land
in the forest in my pocket, these rogues would have it from me in an
afternoon walk. What wouldst thou like, Dolly? Let me buy thee
something."

But Dorothy, who was just in front leaning on the knight's arm, had
eyes more for the crowd than for the brave things displayed in the
shops. Gallant after gallant bowed gracefully to her, for all knew the
famous knight; and the ladies eyed her keenly and critically, wondering
who she might be. It was a proud day for Dorothy. She was quick
enough to notice that her clothing was not quite according to London
fashions; but if she were not as gaily dressed as the ladies who stared
at her, she had the comforting thought that her cavalier was the
best-dressed and handsomest man that walked along Chepe that September
day. So she answered Johnnie's question with, "Buy me whatever thou
wilt; I shall say 'thanks!' But ask me not to make a choice at this
time and from such a bewilderment of riches."

So the young forester shook his head to all pestering salesmen, and
kept his money in his pocket for that day.

By the Royal Exchange on Cornhill Sir Walter was stopped for a moment
by the Lord Mayor, who wanted a little court news on a certain matter
affecting the city. Then on he went again to the Tower. The governor,
a close friend of the knight's, readily admitted the party, and showed
them over the grim old fortress and palace in which, alas! the brave
Raleigh was destined to spend so many lonely years. He seemed to have
some foreboding of this that day, and when the governor was telling
Dorothy stories of some unfortunates who had spent their last days
within the frowning walls, or left them only for the block on Tower
Hill, Raleigh sighed and remarked, "'Tis but a step from a sovereign's
smile and the summer of the court to the gloom and winter of this
place. In dreams I sometimes see myself taking the very fateful step."

Thi