y, and out from
the scarlet and azure petticoats of the nearest steed, there darted a
little girl, crying, "Father! father!" and in an instant she was lifted
in Master Headley's arms, and was clinging round his neck, while he
kissed and blessed her, and as he set her on her feet, he said, "Here,
Dennet, greet thy cousin Giles Headley, and these two brave young
gentlemen. Greet them like a courteous maiden, or they will think thee
a little town mouse."

In truth the child had a pointed little visage, and bright brown eyes,
somewhat like a mouse, but it was a very sweet face that she lifted
obediently to be kissed not only by the kinsman, but by the two guests.
Her father meantime was answering with nods to the respectful welcomes
of the workmen, who thronged out below, and their wives looking down
from the galleries above; while Poppet and the other horses were being
rubbed down after their journey.

The ground-floor of the buildings surrounding the oblong court seemed to
be entirely occupied by forges, workshops, warehouses and stables.
Above, were open railed galleries, with outside stairs at intervals,
giving access to the habitations of the workpeople on three sides. The
fourth, opposite to the entrance, had a much handsomer, broad, stone
stair, adorned on one side with a stone figure of the princess fleeing
from the dragon, and on the other of Saint George piercing the monster's
open mouth with his lance, the scaly convolutions of the two dragons
forming the supports of the handrail on either side. Here stood, cap in
hand, showing his thick curly hair, and with open front, displaying a
huge hairy chest, a giant figure, whom his master greeted as Kit
Smallbones, inquiring whether all had gone well during his absence.

"'Tis time you were back, sir, for there's a great tilting-match on hand
for the Lady Mary's wedding. Here have been half the gentlemen in the
Court after you, and my Lord of Buckingham sent twice for you since
Sunday, and once for Tibble Steelman, and his squire swore that if you
were not at his bidding before noon to-morrow, he would have his new
suit of Master Hillyer of the Eagle."

"He shall see me when it suiteth me," said Mr Headley coolly. "He
wotteth well that Hillyer hath none who can burnish plate armour like
Tibble here."

"Moreover the last iron we had from that knave Mepham is nought. It
works short under the hammer."

"That shall be seen to, Kit. The rest of the budget to-mo