Part 13 (1/2)
”Good lack! not I. If thou art so troubled thereanent, thou wert best ask my father. Maybe he wist not. I cannot say.”
”It must have been sore disheartenment,” said Norman, pityingly, ”to win nearly away, and then be brought back.”
”Ay, marry; and then was she had up to London afore the King's Grace, and had into straiter prison than aforetime. Ere that matter was she treated rather as guest of the King and Queen, though in good sooth she was prisoner; but after was she left no doubt touching that question.
Some thought she might have been released eight years agone, when the convention was with the Lady Joan of Brittany, which after her lord was killed at Auray, gave up all, receiving the county of Penthievre, the city of Limoges, and a great sum of money; and so far as England reckoned, so she might, and maybe would, had it been to my Lord Duke's convenience. But he had found her aforetime very troublesome to him.
Why, when he was but a youth, he fell o' love with some fair damsel of his mother's following, and should have wedded her, had not my Lady d.u.c.h.ess, so soon as ever she knew it, packed her off to a nunnery.”
”Wherefore?”
”That wis I not, without it were that she was not for him.”
[Unsuitable.]
”Was the tale true, think you?”
”That wis I not likewise. Man said so much--behold all I know. Any way, she harried him, and he loved it not, and here she is. That's enough for me.”
”Poor lady!”
”Poor? what for poor? She has all she can want. She is fed and clad as well as ever she was--better, I dare guess, than when she was besieged in Hennebon. If she would have broidery silks, or flowers, or any sort of women's toys, she hath but to say, and my Lady my mother shall ride to Derby for them. The King gave order she should be well used, and well used she is. He desireth not that she be punished, but only kept sure.”
”I would guess that mere keeping in durance, with nought more to vex her, were sorest suffering to one of her fas.h.i.+oning.”
”But what more can she lack? Beside, she is only a woman.”
”Women mostly live in and for their children, and your story sounds as though hers cared little enough for her.”
”Well! they know she is well treated; why should they harry them over her? They be young, and would lead a jolly life, not to be tied for ever to her ap.r.o.n-string.”
”I would not use my mother thus.”
”What wouldst? Lead her horse with thy bonnet doffed, and make a leg afore her whenever she spake unto thee?”
”If it made her happy so to do, I would. Meseemeth I should be as well employed in leading her horse as another, and could show my chivalry as well towards mine old mother as any other lady. I were somewhat more beholden to her of the twain, and G.o.d bade me not honour any other, but He did her.”
”_Ha, chetife_! 'Tis easier work honouring a fair damsel, with golden hair and rose-leaf cheek, than a toothless old harridan that is for ever plaguing thee.”
”Belike the Lord knew that, and writ therefore His fifth command.”
G.o.dfrey did not answer, for his attention was diverted. Two well-laden mules stood at the gate, and two men were coming up to the Manor House, carrying a large pack--a somewhat exciting vision to country people in the Middle Ages. There were then no such things as village shops, and only in the largest and most important towns was any great stock kept by tradesmen. The chief trading in country places was done by these itinerant pedlars, whose visits were therefore a source of great interest to the family, and especially to the ladies. They served frequently as messengers and carriers in a small way, and were particularly valuable between the four seasons, when alone anything worth notice could be expected in the shops--Easter, Whitsuntide, All Saints, and Christmas. There were also the spring and autumn fairs, but these were small matters except in the great towns. As it was now the beginning of September, G.o.dfrey knew that a travelling pedlar would be a most acceptable visitor to his mother and wife.
The porter, instructed by his young master, let in the pedlars.
”What have ye?” demanded G.o.dfrey.
”I have mercery, sweet Sir, and he hath jewelling,” answered the taller of the pedlars, a middle-aged man with a bronzed face, which told of much outdoor exposure.
”Why, well said! Come ye both into hall, and when ye have eaten and drunk, then shall ye open your packs.”