ttle the nobles and the knightly gentry; [Amongst many instances
of the self-seeking of the time, not the least striking is the
subservience of John Mowbray, the great Duke of Norfolk, to his old
political enemy, the Earl of Oxford, the moment the last comes into
power, during the brief restoration of Henry VI. John Paston, whose
family had been sufficiently harassed by this great duke, says, with
some glee, "The Duke and Duchess (of Norfolk) sue to him (Lord Oxford)
as humbly as ever I did to them."--Paston Letters, cccii.] and with them
the governing principles were, as we have just said, interest, ambition,
and the zeal for the honour and advancement of Houses and chiefs.

"Truly," said Marmaduke, after a short and rather embarrassed pause,
"I am little beholden as yet to the House of York. There where I see a
noble benefactor, or a brave and wise leader, shall I think my sword and
heart may best proffer allegiance."

"Wisely said," returned Alwyn, with a slight but half sarcastic smile;
"I asked thee the question because--draw closer--there are wise men in
our city who think the ties between Warwick and the king less strong
than a ship's cable; and if thou attachest thyself to Warwick, he will
be better pleased, it may be, with talk of devotion to himself than
professions of exclusive loyalty to King Edward. He who has little
silver in his pouch must have the more silk on his tongue. A word to a
Westmoreland or a Yorkshire man is as good as a sermon to men not born
so far north. One word more, and I have done. Thou art kind and affable
and gentle, my dear foster-brother, but it will not do for thee to be
seen again with the goldsmith's headman. If thou wantest me, send for
me at nightfall; I shall be found at Master Heyford's, in the Chepe. And
if," added Nicholas, with a prudent reminiscence, "thou succeedest at
court, and canst recommend my master,--there is no better goldsmith,--it
may serve me when I set up for myself, which I look to do shortly."

"But to send for thee, my own foster-brother, at nightfall, as if I were
ashamed!"

"Hout, Master Marmaduke, if thou wert not ashamed of me, I should be
ashamed to be seen with a gay springal like thee. Why, they would say in
the Chepe that Nick Alwyn was going to ruin. No, no. Birds of a feather
must keep shy of those that moult other colours; and so, my dear young
master, this is my last shake of the hand. But hold: dost thou know thy
way back?"

"Oh, yes,--nev