ly. "As for the size of the human
foot--gad! I'll lay a roll of louis d'or that there's one dame here in
London town can wear this slipper of New France."

"Done!" cried Wilson. "Name the one."

"None other than the pretty Lawrence whom thou hast had under thine
ancient wing for the past two seasons."

The face of Wilson gathered into a sudden frown at this speech. "What
doth it matter"--he began.

"Have done, fellows!" cried Pembroke with some asperity. "Lay wagers
more fit at best, and let us have no more of this thumb-biting. Gad! the
first we know, we'll be up for fighting among ourselves, and we all know
how the new court doth look on that."

"Come away," laughed Castleton, gaily. "I'm for a pint of ale and an
apple; and then beware! 'Tis always my fortune, when I come to this
country drink, to win like a very countryman. I need revenge upon Lady
Betty and her lap-dog. I've lost since ever I saw them last."

CHAPTER II

AT SADLER'S WELLS

Sadler's Wells, on this mild and cheery spring morning, was a scene of
fashion and of folly. Hither came the elite of London, after the custom
of the day, to seek remedy in the reputed qualities of the springs for
the weariness and lassitude resultant upon the long season of polite
dissipations which society demanded of her votaries. Bewigged dandies,
their long coats of colors well displayed as they strutted about in the
open, paid court there, as they did within the city gates, to the
powdered and painted beauties who sat in their couches waiting for their
servants to bring out to them the draft of which they craved healing for
crow's-feet and hollow eyes. Here and there traveling merchants called
their wares, jugglers spread their carpets, bear dancers gave their
little spectacles, and jockeys conferred as to the merits of horse or
hound. Hawk-nosed Jews passed among the vehicles, cursed or kicked by
the young gallants who stood about, hat in hand, at the steps of their
idols' carriages.

"Buy my silks, pretty lady, buy my silks! Fresh from the Turkey walk on
the Exchange, and cheaper than you can buy their like in all the
city--buy my silks, lady!" Thus the peddler with his little pack of
finery.

"My philter, lady," cried the gipsy woman, who had left her donkey cart
outside the line. "My philter! 'Twill keep-a your eyes bright and your
cheeks red for ay. Secret of the Pharaohs, lady; and but a shilling!"

"Have ye a parrot, ma'am? Have ye never a parrot