1829. ] a Legend of London. 283 
stones: over this coinioise he wore a long mantle similar to his bride’s, 
only of dark blue cloth, lined with white persan, and clasped at top by 
a large sapphire, set in chased silver ; behind his back there hung a 
hood of the same colour and material as his robe, werked all over with 
golden sprigs, and buttoned under his chin ; on his feet he had a pair 
of yellow Spanish leather crackowes, or shoes, with long pointed toes, 
the ends of which were fastened to his knees with silver-gilt chains: 
gleves also he had, and so indeed had the bride, though I forgot to 
mention it; they were alike of fine white kid leather ; hers, embroidered 
with gold ; and his, with a large emerald set in the back of each one, 
gauntlet-shaped, and edged with golden buttons. {f all that has not 
been told, would have been irksome and tedious in the telling, much 
more so, nay, quite impossible would it be to tell of all the feasting and 
mummeries that had place in Mrs. Alice’s house on that day—of the 
quantities of roast, boiled, grilled and fried—of mortries, pies and tarts, 
that appeared and disappeared—of the oceans of liquors and wines too— 
French and Greek—of Ypocras, and Pyment—of Rumney, Malaspine, 
Vernage, Mountrese, Algrade and Garnarde, the very names whereof are 
lost in this degenerate age. Let the reader only rest assured, that this 
was better than any common feast, inasmuch as there was more than 
enough. 
This day seemed to have been the beginning of a new life for Mrs. 
Alice ; she became from that time a gayer woman, and mingled more in 
company than ever she had done before ; for, with all her good qualities, 
she had lived hitherto rather a retired life: and yet she certainly. did not 
fly to society, as I am afraid some modern housewives do, to escape from the 
fellowship of her husband ; but rather, as it seemed, to give her a greater 
zest therein—for she loved him almost to devotion, and he was equally 
attached to her. They had been married for nearly four months, and 
not yet across word or look had passed between them: their mutual 
affection, indeed, seemed on the increase, which is not always the case 
with a new-married couple, especially after the honey-moon ; but, as 
Master Lessomour took care to exact from his wife nothing either unrea- 
sonable, or what she thought so, he found her all duty and obedience. 
Many people, indeed, whispered that all this would not last long; for 
they had not forgotten her other husbands, though it might almost seem 
that Master Lessomour and Mrs. Alice herself had done so. 
It chanced, however, that, as they were sitting together silently one 
evening upon a low stool or settle (in shape something like a modern 
‘settee, only with quaintly carved frame and elbows), gazing upon the 
dying members of a wood-fire, that had been piled up between the 
brazen dogs on the brick hearth, that Mrs. Alice fetched a sigh. 
a Why dost sigh, sweetheart?” said her husband; “ art not 
Pp” 
: i knew not that I sighed, dear Martyn,” she said. ‘“ Certes, it was 
not for lack of happiness, for I am right happy.” 
“ I am glad to hear thee say so, and think thou sayest sooth—if I may 
i all judge from mine own heart—for I am happier than I ever yet bave 
een.” 
And so, in truth, am I, Martyn—for I am happy now ; and, indeed, 
I never knew happiness till I knew thee.” 
' © Nay, now thou art surely cajoling me, sweetest. Meanest thou, 
ou wert never happy ere now?” 
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