n this brooch the lady
Blanche fixed her gaze and discarding all others, began to play with it,
till at length the lord Deleroy asked the price. I consulted with Kari,
explaining that myself I did not handle this branch of my business, then
named it carelessly; it was a great sum.

"God's truth! Blanche," said Deleroy, "this merchant thinks I am made of
gold. You must choose a cheaper ornament for your new year's gift, or he
will have to wait for payment."

"Which mayhap I should be willing to do from one of your quality, my
lord," I interrupted, bowing.

He looked at me and said:

"Can I have a word apart with you, merchant?"

Again I bowed and led him to the eating-room where he gazed about him,
amazed at the richness of the furnishings. He sat him down upon a carven
chair while I stood before him humbly and waited.

"I am told," he said at length, "that John Grimmer did other business
besides that of selling jewels."

"Yes, my lord, some foreign trade."

"And some home trade also. I mean that he lent money."

"At times, my lord, and on good security, if he chanced to have any at
command, and at a certain interest. Perhaps my lord will come to his
point."

"It is short and clear. Those of us who are at Court always want money
where it is needful if we would have advancement and earn the royal
favour of one who does not pay, at least in gold."

"Be pleased to state the amount and the security offered, my lord."

He did so. The sum was high and the security was bad.

"Are there any who would stand surety for my lord?"

"Yes, one of great estate, Sir Robert Aleys, who has wide lands in
Sussex."

"I have heard the name, and if my lord will bid his lawyers put the
matter in writing, I will cause the lands to be valued and give an
answer as quickly as may be."

"For a young man you are careful, merchant."

"Alas! such as I need to be who must guard our small earnings in these
troublous times of war and tumult. Such a sum as you speak of would take
all that John Grimmer and I have laid by after years of toil."

Again he looked at the furnishings of the room and shrugged his
shoulders, then said:

"Good, it shall be done for the need is urgent. To whom is the letter to
be sent?"

"To John Grimmer, at the Boat House, Cheapside."

"But you told me that John Grimmer was dead."

"And so he is, my lord, but his name remains."

Then we returned to the sop and as we went I said,

"If your lordship's l