of mind; and drawing closer to
Nevile, she put her hand with touching confidence on his arm, and
whispered, "You will not repeat this, Sir! my father lives only in his
studies, and he has never known but one king!"

Marmaduke turned his bold face to the maid, and pointed to the
salt-cellar, as he answered in the same tone, "Does the brave man betray
his host?"

There was a moment's silence. Marmaduke rose. "I fear," said he, "that
I must now leave you; and while it is yet broad noon, I must indeed be
blind if I again miss my way."

This speech suddenly recalled Adam from his meditations; for whenever
his kindly and simple benevolence was touched, even his mathematics and
his model were forgotten. "No, young sir," said he, "you must not
quit us yet; your danger is not over. Exercise may bring fever. Celsus
recommends quiet. You must consent to tarry with us a day or two more."

"Can you tell me," said the Nevile, hesitatingly, "what distance it is
to the Temple-gate, or the nearest wharf on the river?"

"Two miles, at the least," answered Sibyll.

"Two miles!--and now I mind me, I have not the accoutrements that beseem
me. Those hildings have stolen my mantle (which, I perceive, by the way,
is but a rustic garment, now laid aside for the super-tunic), and my hat
and dague, nor have they left even a half groat to supply their place.
Verily, therefore, since ye permit me to burden your hospitality longer,
I will not say ye nay, provided you, worshipful sir, will suffer one of
your people to step to the house of one Master Heyford, goldsmith, in
the Chepe, and crave one Nicholas Alwyn, his freedman, to visit me. I
can commission him touching my goods left at mine hostelrie, and learn
some other things which it behooves me to know."

"Assuredly. Sibyll, tell Simon or Jonas to put himself under our guest's
order."

Simon or Jonas! The poor Adam absolutely forgot that Simon and Jonas had
quitted the house these six years! How could he look on the capon, the
wine, and the velvet gown trimmed with fur, and not fancy himself back
in the heyday of his wealth?

Sibyll half smiled and half sighed, as she withdrew to consult with her
sole counsellor, Madge, how the guest's orders were to be obeyed, and
how, alas! the board was to be replenished for the evening meal. But in
both these troubles she was more fortunate than she anticipated.
Madge had sold the broken gittern, for musical instruments were then,
comparatively spe