m
I, riding back to our home to eat the bread of disappointment, leaving her,
for whom I would gladly die, to the temptations of the Court. She will
listen to the wooing of some gallant, and my Lady Pembroke will abet it,
and then--'

'Then bear it like a man, George; nor break your heart for a maiden, when
there are, I doubt not, many who are worthier and--'

'That's fine talking,' poor George said wrathfully. 'What if I were to tell
you there are many worthier than the widow of Ambrose Gifford. There are
some who say that she was not--'

Humphrey's eyes had an angry light in them as he turned them full on his
brother.

'Not a word more, George, of _her_. I will not brook it; her name is sacred
to me as the name of any saint in Heaven.'

George felt he dare say no more, and, after another silence, Humphrey
asked,--

'When does our mother propose to return?'

'Not for a month. She has made friends with a draper in the Chepe, who is a
relation of our father's. He has a little, ill-favoured son, and I think I
saw signs of his wishing to win Dorothy Ratcliffe's favour. I would to
Heaven he may do so, and then I shall at any rate have peace and quiet, and
be free from hearing my mother lay plans of what she will do when I bring
Dorothy as mistress of Hillside. Marry Dorothy, forsooth! I pity any man
who is tied to that shrew for life.'

'Even the ill-favoured cousin you speak of in the Chepe,' Humphrey said,
laughing in spite of himself. 'Nay, George, bear yourself as a man, and I
dare to say little Mistress Lucy will come round to your wishes.'

'I would that I could hope, but despair has seized me ever since the day of
that tourney. Did you ever see anyone look fairer than she did that day
seated amongst all the grand folks? There was not one to compare with her,
and I caught words in several quarters which showed me I am not wrong in
my estimate of her.'

'Ah, George,' his brother said, 'we are all wont to think our own idols are
beyond compare; it is a common illusion--or delusion. But we are nearing
Tunbridge. Here we must part, for I must tarry here to pursue inquiries,
while you proceed homewards. The horses must be baited, and we must get
some refreshments at the hostel. It may be that in the inn kitchen I may
pick up some information that may be of service. I shall not ride to
Penshurst till nightfall, or may be the morrow, but I must confide a letter
to the care of that trusty Ned who I see coming up b