alk near
London than in the loneliest glens of green Sherwood--more shame to the
city! An' I be Lord Mayor one of these days, I will look to it better.
But our civil wars make men hold human life very cheap, and there's
parlous little care from the great of the blood and limbs of the
wayfarers. But war makes thieves--and peace hangs them! Only wait till I
manage affairs!"

"Many thanks to thee, Nicholas," returned the Nevile; "but foul befall
me if ever I seek protection from sheriff or mayor! A man who cannot
keep his own life with his own right hand merits well to hap-lose it;
and I, for one, shall think ill of the day when an Englishman looks more
to the laws than his good arm for his safety; but, letting this pass, I
beseech thee to avise me if my Lord Warwick be still in the city?"

"Yes, marry, I know that by the hostelries, which swarm with his badges,
and the oxen, that go in scores to the shambles! It is a shame to the
Estate to see one subject so great, and it bodes no good to our peace.
The earl is preparing the most magnificent embassage that ever crossed
the salt seas--I would it were not to the French, for our interests lie
contrary; but thou hast some days yet to rest here and grow stout, for I
would not have thee present thyself with a visage of chalk to a man who
values his kind mainly by their thews and their sinews. Moreover, thou
shouldst send for the tailor, and get thee trimmed to the mark. It would
be a long step in thy path to promotion, an' the earl would take thee
in his train; and the gaudier thy plumes, why, the better chance for
thy flight. Wherefore, since thou sayest they are thus friendly to
thee under this roof, bide yet a while peacefully; I will send thee the
mercer, and the clothier, and the tailor, to divert thy impatience. And
as these fellows are greedy, my gentle and dear Master Nevile, may I
ask, without offence, how thou art provided?"

"Nay, nay, I have moneys at the hostelrie, an' thou wilt send me my
mails. For the rest, I like thy advice, and will take it."

"Good!" answered Nicholas. "Hem! thou seemest to have got into a poor
house,--a decayed gentleman, I wot, by the slovenly ruin!"

"I would that were the worst," replied Marmaduke, solemnly, and under
his breath; and therewith he repeated to Nicholas the adventure on the
pastime-ground, the warnings of the timbrel-girls, and the "awsome"
learning and strange pursuits of his host. As for Sibyll, he was
evidently incli