I made my escape at this, but as I left the room, I heard Anne say, "That will you not, dame. Mrs. Margaret scorns her suitor, and will have none of him, though 'twould be a fine match for her." "When the right one comes, she will not scorn him!" Dame Penberthy answered. "She is no common maid to snap at a lover like a trout at a fly. She will marry well, I promise you, though she will see trouble first." This morning Mary told me, with great glee, that the first person who came into the kitchen was Roger, my Lord's groom; and I was silly enough to be pleased likewise. But Mrs. Brewster was vexed, and said that trying such spells was unlucky, and would bring ill-hap on child and mother. I am sure I hope not. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER IX. _TRAVELLING MERCHANTS._ _September 15._ WE have heard nothing from Walter yet, though it is full time. I cannot help feeling uneasy. Yesterday we had a visit from a travelling bookseller, well-known, as I learn, in these parts. He seemed a man of more than ordinary intelligence, and much gravity, and even austerity of deportment. "Well, Master Blanchard," said my Lord, greeting him heartily; "what now play-books or romances have you brought us this time?" "Truly, but few new ones, my Lord," answered Master Blanchard. "I like not the books of that kind lately printed, so well as to make myself very busy in spreading them abroad." "I thought the Archbishop very careful in the matter of licensing books," remarked my Lady. "He is," answered the old man, dryly. "He hath forbid the reprinting of 'Foxe, his Book of Martyrs,' and of the works of Bishop Jewell, as well as of the 'Practise of Piety,' a book which has gone through no less than thirty-six editions!" "By my faith that is being particular with a vengeance!" exclaimed my Lord. "Methinks if all we hear be true, his grace might find other things to forbid than the 'Practise of Piety.' Why, my own mother used and loved that book next to her Bible. I believe between the Papists and the Puritans, the world hath gone stark mad." "It will be madder yet, or I am much mistaken," said Master Blanchard. "I have good store of paper and blank books, if you need them, my Lord, and some new music-books, and cards of patterns, and the like, for the ladies." We were all purchasers. I bought a new blank book and some paper, and my Lady gave me a silver pen and a pretty fashioned inkstand. Betty would needs buy a Bible and Prayer-book, as christening gifts for her god-child. Lady Jemima turned over the books of devotion and selected two or three, though she made a very disapproving face over some that she found there. "But I cannot but think you are misinformed, Master Blanchard," said my Lady. "Why should the Archbishop forbid the printing of the 'Book of Martyrs'?"