my Lady."

"Good. I hope she will be clever and tractable.--Now, Madge, what do
_you_ want?"

The Princess Marjory wanted a silver necklace, a piece of green silk for
a state robe, and some unshorn wool for an every-day dress, beside
lamb's fur and buttons for trimming. Buttons were fashionable ornaments
in those days, and it was not unusual to spend six or eight dozen upon
one dress.

"Now, Magot, let me see for thee," said her mother. "Thy two woollen
gowns must be shorn for winter, and thou wilt want a velvet one for gala
days: but there is time for that by and bye. What thou needest now is a
blue Cyprus [crape] robe for thy best summer one, two garments of
coloured thread for common, a silk hood, one or two lawn wimples [Note
5], and a pair of corsets. [Note 6.] Thou mayest have a new armilaus
[Note 7] if thou wilt."

"And may I not have a new mantle?" was Margaret's answer, in a coaxing
tone.

"A new mantle? Thou unconscionable Magot! Somebody will be ruined
before thy wants are supplied."

"And a red velvet gipciere, Lady? And I _did_ so want a veil of sendal
of Inde!"

"Worse and worse! Come, old man, prithee, measure off the Cyprus, and
look out the wimples quickly, or this damsel of mine will leave me never
a farthing in my pocket."

"And Eva wants a new gown," suggested Margaret.

"Oh yes!" said the Countess, laughing. "And so does Marie, and so does
Doucebelle, I suppose,--and Hawise, I have no doubt. I shall be
completely ruined among you!"

"But my Lady will give me the sendal of Inde? I will try to do without
the gipciere."

A gipciere was a velvet bag dependent from the waist, which served as a
purse or pocket, as occasion required.

"Magot, hast thou no conscience? Come, then, old man, let this
unreasonable damsel see thy gipcieres. And if she must have some sendal
of Inde, well,--fate is inevitable. What was the other thing, Magot? A
new mantle? Oh, shocking! I can't afford that. What is the price of
thy black cloth, old man?"

It was easy to see that Margaret would have all she chose to ask,
without much pressure. Some linen dresses were also purchased for the
young wards of the Earl,--a blue fillet for Eva, and a new barm-cloth
[apron] for Marie; and the Countess having chosen some sendal and lawn
for her own use, the purchases were at last completed.

The old Jew, helped by Delecresse, repacked his wares with such care as
their delicacy and costliness require