And away marched Rachel in high dudgeon. "It is too bad of Rachel!" moaned Lady Enville, lifting her handkerchief to tearless eyes. "I would have nought but to be decent and fit for our degree, and not to shame us in the eyes of her that hath been in the Court. I was ne'er one to cast money right and left. If I had but a new velvet gown, and a fair kirtle of laced satin, and a good kersey for every day, and an hood, and a partlet or twain of broidered work, and two or three other small matters, I would ask no more. Rachel would fain don us all like scullery-maids!" Sir Thomas hated to see a woman weep; and above all, his wife--whom he still loved, though he could no longer esteem her. "Come, Orige,--dry thine eyes," he said pityingly. He did not know, poor victim! that they required no drying. "Thou shalt have what thou wouldst. Tell me the sum thou lackest, and I will spare it, though I cut timber therefor." Which was equivalent, in his eyes, to the very last and worst of all honest resources for raising money. Lady Enville made a rapid calculation (with her handkerchief still at her eyes), which ran much in this fashion:-- +========================================+======+ YVelvet dress - at least 40; say Y45 0 0Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YSatin kirtle - about Y20 0 0Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YKersey dress Y3 10 0Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YHood, best Y 1 6 8Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YHood, second-rate Y 13 4Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YFrontlet Y 4 4Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YLawn for ruffs (embroidered at home) sayY 2 6Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YGloves, one dozen pairs, best quality Y 2 6Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YRibbon, 40 yards, various colours Y 13 4Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YMiscellaneous items, a good margin, say Y 9 7 4Y +----------------------------------------+------+ YWhich makes a total of Y80 0 0Y +========================================+======+ Without removing the signal of distress, her Ladyship announced that the small sum of 80 pounds would satisfy her need: a sum equivalent to about 1200 pounds in our day. Sir Thomas held his breath. But he knew that unless he had courage authoritatively to deny the fair petitioner, argument and entreaty would alike be thrown away upon her. And that courage he was conscious he had not. "Very well, Orige," he said quietly; "thou shalt have it." But he ordered four fine oaks to be felled that evening. "Clare, what lackest thou in the matter of raiment?" he asked when he met her alone.