after Edward's
gracious reception of the London deputies), when Nicholas Alwyn,
accompanied by two servitors armed to the teeth,--for they carried with
them goods of much value, and even in the broad daylight and amidst
the most frequented parts of the city, men still confided little in the
security of the law,--arrived at the Tower, and was conducted to the
presence of the queen.

Elizabeth and her mother were engaged in animated but whispered
conversation when the goldsmith entered; and there was an unusual gayety
in the queen's countenance as she turned to Alwyn and bade him show her
his newest gauds.

While with a curiosity and eagerness that seemed almost childlike
Elizabeth turned over rings, chains, and brooches, scarcely listening
to Alwyn's comments on the lustre of the gems or the quaintness of the
fashion, the duchess disappeared for a moment, and returned with the
Princess Margaret.

This young princess had much of the majestic beauty of her royal
brother; but, instead of the frank, careless expression so fascinating
in Edward, there was, in her full and curved lip and bright large eye,
something at once of haughtiness and passion, which spoke a decision and
vivacity of character beyond her years.

"Choose for thyself, sweetheart and daughter mine," said the duchess,
affectionately placing her hand on Margaret's luxuriant hair, "and let
the noble visitor we await confess that our rose of England outblooms
the world."

The princess coloured with complaisant vanity at these words, and,
drawing near the queen, looked silently at a collar of pearls, which
Elizabeth held.

"If I may adventure so to say," observed Alwyn, "pearls will mightily
beseem her highness's youthful bloom; and lo! here be some adornments
for the bodice or partelet, to sort with the collar; not," added the
goldsmith, bowing low, and looking down,--"not perchance displeasing
to her highness, in that they are wrought in the guise of the fleur de
lis--"

An impatient gesture in the queen, and a sudden cloud over the fair
brow of Margaret, instantly betokened to the shrewd trader that he
had committed some most unwelcome error in this last allusion to the
alliance with King Louis of France, which, according to rumour, the Earl
of Warwick had well-nigh brought to a successful negotiation; and to
convince him yet more of his mistake, the duchess said haughtily, "Good
fellow, be contented to display thy goods, and spare us thy comments.