"Oh, I have those to recommend me that have authority with her," said the scholar. "She hath an uncle will plead my suit; and truly he ought to, for 'twas he set me to wooing her, and from his account I became her servant ere ever I had seen her."
"Hath the lady no parents, then?" queried Master Etheridge.
"Oh, yes; they are well inclined to me, too; I spoke of the uncle because 'twas his word made me first seek her out."
"And did you find her all he had said?" asked Mistress Etheridge.
"Oh, even more beautiful. 'Tis her beauty makes me bashful in commending myself to her."
"Oh, never be afraid," said Mistress Etheridge. "You have a good figure, for one thing, and a modest mien."
"So her mother says," acquiesced Holyday, innocently.
"Your father hath a good estate," said Master Etheridge, "and that speaks louder for you than modesty or figure."
"That is what her father hath the goodness to say for me. I hope she will take her parents' words to mind. But I doubt not, in her heart she thinks me better than some."
"Well, her parents are the best judges," said Master Etheridge. "I must go down to the shop; you will eat dinner with us, friend Ralph?"
"I thank you, sir; but I must meet a gentleman elsewhere at eleven o'clock."
If Mistress Millicent had taken his meaning, he thought, she would now see the necessity of speedily having a word with him alone.
After the goldsmith had left the room, Sir Peregrine directed the conversation into such channels that Holyday was perforce out of it. The old knight evidently thought that enough talk had gone to the affairs of this young gentleman from Kent.
The scholar, wondering how matters would go, agitated within but maintaining a kind of preternatural calm without, ventured to scan Millicent's face for a sign. She was regarding him furtively, as if she apprehended, yet feared to find herself deceived; in truth, her experience with Captain Ravenshaw had made it difficult for her to hope, or trust, anew. But surely fate could not twice abuse her so; this must indeed be Ralph Holyday,--her father was not likely to be deceived a second time,--and the Holydays were neighbours of her uncle, from whom she had not entirely ceased to look for aid. In any case, there, in the shape of Sir Peregrine, was a horrible certainty, to which a new risk was preferable. With a swift motion, therefore, she put her finger to her lip; and Master Holyday felt a great load lifted from his mind.