“Ah, master, you make mock of me; see, here, I have some buckles of chaste design that might take your fancy or these daggers of Spanish make, or what say you to a ring or a necklace for one of the ladies?” “We have no moneys for gauds and vanities.” “But beauty will not bide, and when you have the money it may be too late; you would not let it go ungraced. Prithee try these garnets on the Lady of Holwick. They would become her well, or this simple silver chain for the young mistress,” looking at Aline for the first time. “By my troth she is a beautiful child,” he exclaimed involuntarily. “Ah well then, my friend, good wine needs no bush.” “Nay, sweets to the sweet, and for fair maids fair things.” “Truly you are a courtier.” “Ay, and have been at court, and those of most courtesy have bought most of my wares.” “Enough, enough, what have you of good household stuff, things that a good housewife must buy though the times be hard. Come, show my lady such things as good linen and good cloth.” “You bring him to the point,” said Mistress Mowbray; “yes, sirrah, what have you in the way of linen?” “I have linen of France and linen of Flanders; I have linen fine and linen coarse.” He unrolled several samples as he spoke, and Mistress Mowbray selected some linen of Rennes of fine texture, which she said would do to make garments for Audry and herself. “And your supply of clothes that you brought from Scotland is in need of some plenishing,” she said, glancing at Aline. “There will be work for idle hands. Here, this stout dowlas[13] will stand wear well, and be warmer too.” [13] A very coarse sort of canvas used for underclothes by the poorest classes in the sixteenth century. Aline felt the blood rush to her face, but she said nothing. It was not that she thought much about her clothes; indeed she had the natural simple taste of the high born that eschews finery, yet a certain daintiness and delicacy she did desire and had always had, and it was a bitter disappointment, a disappointment made more cruel by the public shame of it. Walter Margrove, the packman, looked at her; he had not travelled amongst all sorts and conditions for nothing and he took the situation in at a glance. “Yes, Mistress Mowbray,” Aline said at length, “I shall have a great deal to do.” Richard Mowbray had left the hall, but old Elspeth who was standing by said, “I will help you, childie.” Mistress Mowbray scowled at her, and muttered,--“Well, I hope, Aline, that you will work hard,” then turning to Margrove she asked to look at other wares. Such opportunities did not often occur in a remote place like Holwick and it was very difficult to do one’s purchasing at a distance; so although she only bought things of real necessity she laid in a large supply from the packman’s stock.