hen, except in mourning; and the taste of few led them to
the sombre browns and decorous greys worn by most now. This young
gentleman had on a tunic of dark red, in shape not unlike a butcher's
blue frock, which was fastened round the hips by a girdle of black
leather, studded with brass spangles. His head was covered by a loose
hood of bright blue, and his hose or stockings--for stockings and
trousers were in one--were a light, bright shade of apple-green. Low
black shoes completed this showy costume, but it was not more showy than
that of every other man passing along the street. Our young man seemed
rather anxious not to be seen, for he cast sundry suspicious glances in
the direction of the girdler's, and having at length apparently
satisfied himself that the patty-maker was not likely to return at once,
he darted across the street, and presented himself at the window of the
corner shop. Two girls were sitting behind it, whose ages were twenty
and seventeen. These young ladies were scarcely so smart as the
gentleman. The elder wore a grey dress striped with black, over which
was a crimson kirtle or pelisse, with wide sleeves and tight grey ones
under them; a little green cap sat on her light hair, which was braided
in two thick masses, one on each side of the face. The younger wore a
dress of the same light green as the youth's hose, with a silvery
girdle, and a blue cap.

"Mistress Alexandra!" said the youth in a loud whisper.

The elder girl took no notice of him. The younger answered as if she
had just discovered his existence, though in truth she had seen him
coming all the time.

"O Clement Winkfield, is that you? We've no raffyolys [Sausage-rolls]
left, if that be your lack."

"I thank you, Mistress Ricarda; but I lack nought o' the sort. Mistress
Alexandra knoweth full well that I come but to beg a kind word from
her."

"I've none to spare this even," said the elder, with a toss of her head.

"But you will, sweet heart, when you hear my tidings."

"What now? Has your mother bought a new kerchief, or the cat catched a
mouse?"

"Nay, sweet heart, mock me not! Here be grand doings, whereof my Lord
talked this morrow at dinner, I being awaiting. What say you to a
goodly tournament at the Palace of the Savoy?"

"I dare reckon you fell asleep and dreamed thereof."

"Mistress Alexandra, you'd make a saint for to swear! Howbeit, if you
reck not thereof,--I had meant for to practise with my c