while people such as these rule there,
I opine that neither one object nor the other is likely to be attained,"
observed Master Gresham. "I will therefore keep you with me, Ernst; you
can serve in my shop, and there gain a knowledge of such business as may
be greatly useful to you."

Master Gresham's house, I should have said, was one of the best in
Lombard Street, which was beyond doubt the handsomest street in London.

Over the door was a crest--a large metal grasshopper, so that no
stranger had any difficulty in finding the house. As is well-known,
this street gained its name from the Italian merchants who came from
Genoa, Lucca, Florence, and Venice, and were known as Lombards. They
were very useful to the Italian clergy who had benefices in England, and
who were thus able to receive their incomes drawn from England without
difficulty. Thus the English supported a number of foreign priests,
from whom they received no benefit whatever. By degrees Englishmen
entered into the same business.

As may be supposed, it would be difficult to describe the variety of
affairs in which my patron was engaged. Among others we bought and sold
plate, and foreign gold and silver coins. These we melted and culled.
Some were recoined at the Mint, and with the rest we supplied the
refiners, plate-workers, and merchants who required the precious metals.
Whenever we received money at usury, we gave a bond, and my patron was
always able to lend it out again, either to the Government or to others
at a still higher rate of usury. At times, the stranger from the
country might have supposed that all the gold and silver in England had
been collected in Lombard Street, for here were magnificent silver
vessels exposed for sale, and vast quantities of ancient and modern
coins. Gold chains, too, were seen hung up, and jewels of all sorts.
In truth, all articles of value might there be purchased or disposed of.
Master John Elliot was at this time factor and manager of the
establishment, my patron being seldom in England, or remaining, when he
did come, but a few days at a time. I was expecting every day to be
summoned to Antwerp. This would have been much to my sorrow, for I felt
unwilling to leave the Lady Anne, and still more so, I may confess, to
part from the little Aveline. My affection for her was that of a
brother for a sister--at least I thought so, and so it might have been.

At length Master Gresham returned. I knew not wh