-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Note 1. For many years after the Reformation the use of fish was made
compulsory in Lent, from the wish to benefit the fish trade. A licence
to eat flesh in Lent (obtained from the Queen, not the Pope) cost 40
shillings in 1599.

CHAPTER NINE.

WALTER LEARNS TO SAY NO.

"Betray mean terror of ridicule,--thou shalt find fools enough to mock
thee:--

"But answer thou their laughter with contempt, and the scoffers shall
lick thy feet."

Martin Farquhar Tupper.

(_In Edith's handwriting_.)

SELWICK HALL, MARCH THE II.
Never, methinks, saw I any so changed as our _Milly_ by the illness and
death of poor _Blanche_. From being the merriest of all us, methinks
she is become well-nigh the saddest. I count it shall pass in time, but
she is not like _Milisent_ at this present. All we, indeed, have much
felt the same: but none like her. I never did reckon her so much to
love _Blanche_.

I have marvelled divers times of late, what did bring _Robin Lewthwaite_
here so oft; and I did somewhat in mine own mind, rhyme his name with
_Milisent's_, for all (as I find on looking) my damsel hath set down
never a time he came. The which, as methinks, is somewhat significant.
So I was little astonied this afternoon to be asked of _Robin_, as we
two were in the garden, if I reckoned _Milisent_ had any care touching
him.

"Thou wist, _Edith_," saith he, "I did alway love her: but when yon
rogue came in the way betwixt that did end all by the beguilement of our
poor _Blanche_, I well-nigh gave up all hope, for methought she were
fair enchanted by him."

"I think she so were, for a time, _Robin_," said I, "until she saw
verily what manner of man he were: and that it were not truly he that
she had loved, but the man she had accounted him."

"Well," saith _Robin_, "I would like to be the man she accounted him.
Thinkest there is any chance?"

"Thou wist I can but guess," I made answer, "for _Milisent_ is very
close of that matter, though she be right open on other: but I see no
reason, _Robin_, wherefore thou shouldst not win her favour, and I do
ensure thee I wish thee well therein."

"_Edith_, thou art an angel!" crieth he out: and squeezed mine hand till
I wished him the other side the Border.

"Nay!" said I, a-laughing: "what then is _Milly_?"

"Oh, aught thou wilt," saith he, also laughi