_The Goldsmith's Daughter_.
"I can live
A life that tells on other lives, and makes
This world less full of evil and of pain--
A life which, like a pebble dropped at sea,
Sends its wide circles to a hundred shores."
Rev Horatius Bonar, D.D.
The coming hypocras interested Mr Tynneslowe more than its bearer. He
was privately wondering, as he sat awaiting it, whether Mr Altham would
have any in his cellar that was worth drinking, especially after that of
his royal master. His next remark, however, had reference to Amphillis.
"It makes little matter, good Master, that I see the maid," said he.
"The lady or her waiting-damsels shall judge best of her. You and I can
talk over the money matters and such. I am ill-set to judge of maids:
they be kittle gear."
"Forsooth, they be so!" assented Mr Altham, with a sigh: for his fair
and wayward Alexandra had cost him no little care before that summer
afternoon. "And to speak truth, Master Tynneslowe, I would not be sorry
to put the maid forth, for she is somewhat a speckled bird in mine
house, whereat the rest do peck. Come within!"
The door of the little chamber opened, and Amphillis appeared carrying a
tray, whereon was set a leather bottle flanked by two silver cups, a
silver plate containing cakes, and a little silver-gilt jar with
preserved ginger. Glass and china were much too rare and costly
articles for a tradesman to use, but he who had not at least two or
three cups and plates of silver in his closet was a very poor man. Of
course these, by people in Mr Altham's position, were kept for best,
the articles commonly used being pewter or wooden plates, and horn cups.
Amphillis louted to the visitor--that is, she dropped what we call a
charity school-girl's "bob"--and the visitor rose and courtesied in
reply, for the courtesy was then a gentleman's reverence. She set down
the tray, poured out wine for her uncle and his guest into the silver
cups, handed the cakes and ginger, and then quietly took her departure.
"A sober maid and a seemly, in good sooth," said Mr Tynneslowe, when
the door was shut. "Hath she her health reasonable good? She looks but
white."
"Ay, good enough," said the patty-maker, who knew that Amphillis was
sufficiently teased and worried by those lively young ladies, her
cousins, to make any girl look pale.
"Good. Well, what wages should content you?"
Mr Altham considered that question with pursed lips and hands in his
pockets.
"Should you count a mark [13 shillings 4 pence] by the year too much?"
This would come to little over ten pounds a year at present value, and
seems a very poor salary for a young lady; but it must be remembered
that she was provided with clothing, as well as food and lodging, and
that she was altogether free from many expenses which we should reckon
necessaries--umbrellas and parasols, watches, desks, stamps, and
stationery.
"Scarce enough, rather," was the unexpected answer. "Mind you, Master
Altham, I said a _lady_."
Master Altham looked curious and interested. We call every woman a lady
who has either money or education; but in 1372 ranks were more sharply
defined. Only the wives and daughters of a prince, peer, or knight were
termed ladies; the wives of squires and gentlemen were gentlewomen;
while below that they were simply called wives or maids, according as
they were married or single.
"This lady, then, shall be--Mercy on us! sure, Master Tynneslowe, you go
not about to have the maid into the household of my Lady's Grace of
Cambridge, or the Queen's Grace herself of Castile?"
The Duke of Lancaster having married the heiress of Castile, he and his
wife were commonly styled King and Queen of Castile.
Mr Tynneslowe laughed. "Nay, there you fly your hawk at somewhat too
high game," said he; "nathless [nevertheless], Master Altham, it is a
lady whom she shall serve, and a lady likewise who shall judge if she be
meet for the place. But first shall she be seen of a certain
gentlewoman of my lady's household, that shall say whether she promise
fair enough to have her name sent up for judgment. I reckon three
nobles [one pound; present value, 6 pounds] by the year shall pay her
reckoning."
"Truly, I would be glad she had so good place. And for plenishing, what
must she have?"
"Store sufficient of raiment is all she need have, and such jewelling as
it shall please you to bestow on her. All else shall be found. The
gentlewoman shall give her note of all that lacketh, if she be preferred
to the place."
"And when shall she wait on the said gentlewoman?"
"Next Thursday in the even, at Master Goldsmith's."
"I will send her."
Mr Tynneslowe declined a second helping of hypocras, and took his
leave. The patty-maker saw him to the door, and then went back into his
shop.
"I have news for you, maids," said he.
Ricarda, who was arranging the fresh patties, looked up and stopped her
proceedings; Alexandra brought her head in from the window. Amphillis
only, who sat sewing in the corner, went on with her work as if the news
were not likely to concern her.
"Phyllis, how shouldst thou like to go forth to serve a lady?"
A bright colour flushed into the pale cheeks.
"I, Uncle?" she said.
"A lady!" cried Alexandra in a much shriller voice, the word which had
struck her father's ear so lightly being at once noted by her. "Said
you a _lady_, Father? What lady, I pray you?"
"That cannot I say, daughter. Phyllis, thou art to wait on a certain
gentlewoman, at Master Goldsmith's, as next Thursday in the even, that
shall judge if thou shouldst be meet for the place. Don thee in thy
best raiment, and mind thy manners."
"May I go withal, Father?" cried Alexandra.
"There was nought said about thee. Wouldst thou fain be put forth? I
never thought of no such a thing. Maybe it had been better that I had
spoken for you, my maids."
"I would not go forth to serve a city wife, or such mean gear," said
Alexandra, contemptuously. "But in a lady's household I am well assured
I should become the place better than Phyllis. Why, she has not a word
to say for herself,--a poor weak creature that should never--"
"Hush, daughter! Taunt not thy cousin. If she be a good maid and
discreet, she shall be better than fair and foolish."
"Gramercy! cannot a maid be fair and discreet belike?"
"Soothly so. 'Tis pity she is not oftener."
"But may we not go withal, Father?" said Ricarda.
"Belike ye may, my maid. Bear in mind the gentlewoman looks to see
Amphillis, not you, and make sure that she wist which is she. Then I
see not wherefore ye may not go."
Any one who had lived in Mr Altham's house from that day till the
Thursday following would certainly have thought that Alexandra, not
Amphillis, was the girl chosen to go. The former made far more fuss
about it, and she was at the same time preparing a new mantle wherein to
attend the tournament, of which Amphillis was summoned to do all the
plain and uninteresting parts. The result of this preoccupation would
have been very stale pastry on the counter, if her father had not seen
to that item for himself. Ricarda was less excited and egotistical, yet
she talked more than Amphillis.
The Thursday evening came, and the three girls, dressed in their best
clothes, took their way to the Dolphin. The Court goldsmith was a more
select individual than Mr Altham, and did not serve in his own shop,
unless summoned to a customer of rank. The young men who were there had
evidently been prepared for the girls' coming, and showed them upstairs
with a fire of jokes which Alexandra answered smartly, while Amphillis
was silent under them.
They were ushered into the private chamber of the goldsmith's daughter,
who sat at work, and rose to receive them. She kissed them all, for
kissing was then the ordinary form of greeting, and people only shook
hands when they wished to be warmly demonstrative.
"Is the gentlewoman here, Mistress Regina?"
"Sit you down," said Mistress Regina, calmly. "No, she is not yet come.
She will not long be. Which of you three is de maiden dat go shall?"
"That my cousin is," said Alexandra, making fun of the German girl's
somewhat broken English, though in truth she spoke it fairly for a
foreigner. But Amphillis said gently--
"That am I, Mistress Regina; and I take it full kindly of you, that you
should suffer me to meet this gentlewoman in your chamber."
"So!" was the answer. "You shall better serve of de three."
Alexandra had no time to deliver the rather pert reply which she was
preparing, for the door opened, and the young man announced "Mistress
Chaucer."
Had the girls known that the lady who entered was the wife of a man
before whose fame that of many a crowned monarch would pale, and whose
poetry should live upon men's lips when five hundred years had fled,
they would probably have looked on her with very different eyes. But
they knew her only as a Lady of the Bedchamber, first to the deceased
Queen Philippa, and now to the Queen of Castile, and therefore deserving
of all possible subservience. Of her husband they never thought at all.
The "chiel amang 'em takin' notes" made no impression on them: but five
centuries have passed since then, and the chiel's notes are sterling yet
in England.
Mistress Chaucer sat down on the bench, and with quiet but rapid glances
appraised the three girls. Then she said to Amphillis--
"Is it thou whom I came to see?"
Amphillis louted, and modestly assented, after which the lady took no
further notice of the two who were the more anxious to attract her
attention.
"And what canst thou do?" she said.
"What I am told, Mistress," said Amphillis.
"_Ach_!" murmured Regina; "you den can much do."
"Ay, thou canst do much," quietly repeated Mistress Chaucer. "Canst
dress hair?"
Amphillis thought she could. She might well, for her cousins made her
their maid, and were not easily pleased mistresses.
"Thou canst cook, I cast no doubt, being bred at a patty-shop?"
"Mistress, I have only dwelt there these six months past. My father was
a poor gentleman that died when I was but a babe, and was held to demean
himself by wedlock with my mother, that was sister unto mine uncle,
Master Altham. Mine uncle was so kindly as to take on him the charge of
breeding me up after my father died, and he set my mother and me in a
little farm that 'longeth to him in the country: and at after she
departed likewise, he took me into his house. I know somewhat of
cookery, an' it like you, but not to even my good cousins here."
"Oh, Phyllis is a metely fair cook, when she will give her mind
thereto," said Alexandra with a patronising air, and a little toss of
her head--a gesture to which that young lady was much addicted.
A very slight look of amusement passed across Mistress Chaucer's face,
but she did not reply to the remark.
"And thy name?" she asked, still addressing Amphillis.
"Amphillis Neville, and your servant, Mistress."
"Canst hold thy peace when required so to do?" Amphillis smiled. "I
would endeavour myself so to do."
"Canst be patient when provoked of other?"
"With God's grace, Mistress, I so trust." Alexandra's face wore an
expression of dismay. It had never occurred to her that silence and
patience were qualities required in a bower-maiden, as the maid or
companion to a lady was then called; for the maid was the companion
then, and was usually much better educated than now--as education was
understood at that time. In Alexandra's eyes the position was simply
one which gave unbounded facilities for flirting, laughing, and
giddiness in general. She began to think that Amphillis was less to be
envied than she had supposed.
"And thou wouldst endeavour thyself to be meek and buxom [humble and
submissive] in all things to them that should be set over thee?"
"I would so, my mistress."
"What fashions of needlework canst do?"
"Mistress, I can sew, and work tapestry, and embroider somewhat if the
pattern be not too busy [elaborate, difficult]. I would be glad to
learn the same more perfectly."
Mistress Chaucer rose. "I think thou wilt serve," said she. "But I can
but report the same--the deciding lieth not with me. Mistress Regina, I
pray you to allow of another to speak with this maid in your chamber
to-morrow in the even, and this time it shall be the lady that must make
choice. Not she that shall be thy mistress, my maid; she dwelleth not
hereaway, but far hence."
Amphillis cared very little where her future duties were to lie. She
was grateful to her uncle, but she could hardly be said to love him; and
her cousins had behaved to her in such a style, that the sensation
called forth towards them was a long way from love. She felt alone in
the world; and it did not much signify in what part of that lonely place
she was set down to work. The only point about which she cared at all
was, that she was rather glad to hear she was not to stay in London;
for, like old Earl Douglas, she "would rather hear the lark sing than
the mouse cheep."
The girls louted to Mistress Chaucer, kissed Regina, and went down into
the shop, which they found filled with customers, and Master Herman
himself waiting on them, they being of sufficient consequence for the
notice of that distinguished gentleman. On the table set in the midst
of the shop--which, like most tables at that day, was merely a couple of
boards laid across trestles--was spread a blue cloth, whereon rested
various glittering articles--a silver basin, a silver-gilt bottle, a cup
of gold, and another of a fine shell set in gold, a set of silver
apostle spoons, so-called because the handle of each represented one of
the apostles, and another spoon of beryl ornamented with gold; but none
of them seemed to suit the customers, who were looking for a suitable
christening gift.
"_Ach_! dey vill not do!" ejaculated Master Herman, spreading out his
fat fingers and beringed thumbs. "Then belike we must de jewels try.
It is a young lady, de shild? _Gut_! den look you here. Here is de
botoner of perry [button-hook of goldsmith's work], and de bottons--
twelf--wrought wid garters, wid lilies, wid bears, wid leetle bells, or
wid a reason [motto]--you can haf what reason you like. Look you here
again, Madam--de ouches [brooches]--an eagle of gold and enamel, Saint
George and de dragon, de white hart, de triangle of diamonds; look you
again, de paternosters [rosaries], dey are _lieblich_! gold and coral,
gold and pearls, gold and rubies; de rings, sapphire and ruby and
diamond and smaragdus [emerald]--_ach_! I have it. Look you here!"
And from an iron chest, locked with several keys, Master Herman produced
something wrapped carefully in white satin, and took off the cover as if
he were handling a baby.
"Dere!" he cried, holding up a golden chaplet, or wreath for the head,
of ruby flowers and leaves wrought in gold, a large pearl at the base of
every leaf--"dere! You shall not see a better sight in all de
city--_ach_! not in Nuremburg nor Coln. Dat is what you want--it is
_schon, schon_! and dirt sheap it is--only von hundert marks. You take
it?"
The lady seemed inclined to take it, but the gentleman demurred at the
hundred marks--66 pounds, 13 shillings and 4 pence, which, reduced to
modern value, would be nearly eleven hundred pounds; and the girls, who
had lingered as long as they reasonably could in their passage through
the attractive shop, were obliged to pass out while the bargain was
still unconcluded.
"I'd have had that chaplet for myself, if I'd been that lady!" said
Alexandra as they went forward. "I'd never have cast that away for a
christening gift."
"Nay, but her lord would not find the money," answered Ricarda.
"I'd have had it, some way," said her sister. "It was fair enough for a
queen. Amphillis, I do marvel who is the lady thou shalt serve.
There's ever so much ado ere the matter be settled. 'Tis one grander
than Mistress Chaucer, trow, thou shalt see to-morrow even."
"Ay, so it seems," was the quiet answer.
"Nathless, I would not change with thee. I've no such fancy for silence
and patience. Good lack! but if a maid can work, and dress hair, and
the like, what would they of such weary gear as that?"
"Maids be not of much worth without they be discreet," said Amphillis.
"Well, be as discreet as thou wilt; I'll none of it," was the flippant
reply of her cousin.
The young ladies, however, did not neglect to accompany Amphillis on her
subsequent visit. Regina met them at the door.
"She is great lady, dis one, I am sure," said she. "Pray you, mind your
respects."
The great lady carried on her conversation in French, which in 1372 was
the usual language of the English nobles. Its use was a survival from
the Norman Conquest, but the Norman-French was very far from pure, being
derided by the real French, and not seldom by Englishmen themselves.
Chaucer says of his prioress:--
"And French she spake full fair and fetously [cleverly],
After the scole of Stratford-atte-Bow,
For French of Paris was to hire [her] unknow."
This lady, the girls noticed, spoke the French of Paris, and was rather
less intelligible in consequence. She put her queries in a short, quick
style, which a little disconcerted Amphillis; and she had a weary,
irritated manner. At last she said shortly--
"Very well! Consider yourself engaged. You must set out from London on
Lammas Day [August 1st], and Mistress Regina here, who is accustomed to
such matters, will tell you what you need take. A varlet will come to
fetch you; take care you are ready. Be discreet, and do not get into
any foolish entanglements of any sort."
Amphillis asked only one question--Would the lady be pleased to tell her
the name and address of her future mistress?
"Your mistress lives in Derbyshire. You will hear her name on the way."
And with a patronising nod to the girls, and another to Regina, the lady
left the room.
"Lammas Day!" cried Alexandra, almost before the door was closed.
"Gramercy, but we can never be a-ready!"
"_Ach! ja_, but you will if you hard work," said Regina.
"And the jousting!" said Ricarda.
"What for the jousting?" asked Regina. "You are not knights, dat you
joust?"
"We should have seen it, though: a friend had passed his word to take
us, that wist how to get us in."
"We'll go yet, never fear!" said her sister. "Phyllis must work
double."
"Den she will lose de sight," objected Regina.
"Oh, _she_ won't go!" said Alexandra, contemptuously. "Much she knows
about tilting!"
"What! you go, and not your cousin? I marvel if you about it know more
dan she. And to see a pretty sight asks not much knowing."
"I'm not going to slave myself, I can tell you!" replied Alexandra.
"Phyllis must work. What else is she good for?"
Regina left the question unanswered. "Well, you leave Phyllis wid me; I
have something to say to her--to tell her what she shall take, and how
she must order herself. Den she come home and work her share--no more."
The sisters saw that she meant it, and they obeyed, having no desire to
make an enemy of the wealthy goldsmith's daughter.