Richard III.'s love of music, and patronage of
musicians and minstrels, see the discriminating character of that prince
in Sharon Turner's "History of England," vol. IV. p. 66.] So despatch,
and away!"

Marmaduke retired to his chamber, and Nicholas, after a moment spent in
silent thought, searched the room for the hand-bell, which then made the
mode of communication between the master and domestics. Not finding this
necessary luxury, he contrived at last to make Madge hear his voice
from her subterranean retreat; and on her arrival, sent her in quest of
Sibyll.

The answer he received was, that Mistress Sibyll was ill, and unable to
see him. Alwyn looked disconcerted at this intelligence, but, drawing
from his girdle a small gipsire, richly broidered, he prayed Madge to
deliver it to her young mistress, and inform her that it was the fruit
of the commission with which she had honoured him.

"It is passing strange," said he, pacing the hall alone,--"passing
strange, that the poor child should have taken such hold on me. After
all, she would be a bad wife for a plain man like me. Tush! that is the
trader's thought all over. Have I brought no fresher feeling out of my
fair village-green? Would it not be sweet to work for her, and rise in
life, with her by my side? And these girls of the city, so prim and so
brainless!--as well marry a painted puppet. Sibyll! Am I dement? Stark
wode? What have I to do with girls and marriage? Humph! I marvel what
Marmaduke still thinks of her,--and she of him."

While Alwyn thus soliloquized, the Nevile having hastily arranged his
dress, and laden himself with the moneys his mails contained, summoned
old Madge to receive his largess, and to conduct him to Warner's
chamber, in order to proffer his farewell.

With somewhat of a timid step he followed the old woman (who kept
muttering thanks and benedicites as she eyed the coin in her palm) up
the ragged stairs, and for the first time knocked at the door of the
student's sanctuary. No answer came. "Eh, sir! you must enter," said
Madge; "an' you fired a bombard under his ear he would not heed you."
So, suiting the action to the word, she threw open the door, and closed
it behind him, as Marmaduke entered.

The room was filled with smoke, through which mirky atmosphere the clear
red light of the burning charcoal peered out steadily like a Cyclop's
eye. A small, but heaving, regular, labouring, continuous sound, as of
a fairy hammer, smo