In Convent Walls Part 7

And Dame Elizabeth laid her down and happed the coverlet about her, and was fast asleep in a few minutes.

The next even, when we came into hall for supper, was Sir Roger de Mortimer on the dais, looking as though the world belonged to him.

Maybe he thought it was soon to do the same; and therein was he not deceived. The first day, he sat in his right place, at the high table, after the knights and barons of France whom the King of France had appointed to the charge of our Queen: but not many days were over ere he crept up above them--and then above the bishops themselves, until at last he sat on the left hand of Queen Isabel, my Lord of Chester being at her right. But this first night he kept his place.

Note 1. Neuilly. Queen Isabelle's scribe is responsible for the orthography in this and subsequent places.

Note 2. The old Palace of the French Kings, the remaining part of which is now known as the Conciergerie.

Note 3. September 12th.

Note 4. Cakes made with honey. Three pennyworth were served daily at the royal table.

Note 5. Wardrobe Account, 19 Edward the Second, 25/15.

Note 6. Rheims and Soissons. An idea of the difficulties of travelling at that time maybe gathered from the entry of "Guides for the Queen between Paris and Rheims, 18 shillings."

Note 7. The vessel containing the oil wherewith the Kings of France were anointed, oil and ampulla being fabled to have come from Heaven.

Note 8. 2 pounds 13 shillings 4 pence.--Wardrobe Account, 19 Edward the Second, 25/15.

Note 9. Gee. This is one of the few words in our tongue directly derivable from the ancient Britons.

Note 10. "Avice Serueladi" occurs on the Close Roll for 1308.

PART ONE, CHAPTER 3.

HOW DAME ELIZABETH'S BILL WAS PAID.

"And yet it never was in my soul To play so ill a part: But evil is wrought by want of thought As well as by want of heart."

Thomas Hood.

As I came forth of hall, after supper, that even, and we were entered into the long gallery whereinto the Queen's degrees opened, I was aware of a full slender and white-faced young maid, that held by the hand a small [little child] of mayhap five or six years. She looked as though she waited for some man. The Queen had tarried in hall to receive a messenger, and Dame Joan de Vaux was in waiting, so Dame Elizabeth, Dame Isabel, Dame Tiffany, and I were those that pa.s.sed along the gallery.

Dame Isabel and Dame Tiffany the maid let pa.s.s, with no more than a pitiful look at the former, that deigned her no word: but when Dame Elizabeth came next, on the further side, I being betwixt, the maid stepped forward into the midst, as if to stay her. Her thin hands were clasped over her bosom, and the pitifullest look ever I saw was in her eyes.

"_Dame, ayez pitie_!" was all she said; and it was rather breathed than spoken.

"Bless us, Saint Mary!--art thou here again?" quoth Dame Elizabeth of a testier fashion than she was wont. "Get thee gone, child; I have no time to waste. Dear heart, what a fuss is here over a crown or twain!

Dost think thy money is lost? I will pay thee when it liketh me; I have not my purse to mine hand at this minute."

And on she walked, brushing past the maid. I tarried.

"Are you Hilda la Vileyne?" I said unto her.

"Dame, that is my name, and here is my little sister Iolande. She hath not tasted meat [food] this day, nor should not yesterday, had not a kindly gentleman, given me a denier to buy soup. But truly I do not ask for charity--only to be paid what I have honestly earned."

"And hadst thou some soup yesterday?"

"Yes--no--Oh, I am older; I can wait better than the little ones. The mother is sick: she and the babes must not wait. It does not signify for me."

Oh, how hungered were those great eyes, that looked too large for the white face! The very name of soup seemed to have brought the craving look therein.

I turned to the small. "Tell me, Iolande, had Hilda any of the soup yesterday?"

"No," said the child; "I and Madeleine drank it, every drop, that our mother left."

"And had Hilda nothing?"

"There was a mouldy crust in the cupboard," said the child. "It had dropped behind the cup, and Hilda found it when she took the cup down.

We could not see it behind. We can only just reach to take the cup down, and put it up again. That was what Hilda had, and she wiped the cup with one end of it."

"The cup that had held the soup?"

"Yes, surely," said the child, with a surprised look. "We only have one,--does not Madame know?"

"It is an esquelle [porringer; a shallow bowl], not a cup," said Hilda, reddening a little: "the child hardly knows the difference."

I felt nearhand as though I could have twisted Dame Elizabeth's neck for meat for those children.

"And are you, in good sooth, so ill off as that?" said I. "No meat, and only one esquelle in all the house?"

"Dame," said Hilda meekly, as in excuse, "our father was long ill, and now is our mother likewise; and many things had to be sold to pay the apothecary, and also while I waited on them could I not be at work; and my little sisters are not old enough to do much. But truly it is only these last few weeks that we have been quite so ill off as to have no food, and I have been able to earn but a few deniers now and then-- enough to keep us alive, but no more."

"How much oweth you Dame Elizabeth?" said I.

"Dame, it is seven crowns for the hood I wrought, and three more for a girdle was owing aforetime, and now four for kerchiefs broidering: it is fourteen crowns in all. I should not need to ask charity if I could but be paid my earnings. The apothecary said our mother was sick rather from sorrow and want of nourishment than from any malady; and if the good Dame would pay me, I might not only buy fresh matter for my work, but perchance get food that would make my mother well--at least well enough to sew, and then we should have two pairs of hands instead of one. I do not beg, Dame!"

She louted low as she spoke, and took her little sister again by the hand. "Come, Iolande; we keep Madame waiting."

"But hast thou got no money?" pleaded the barne. "Thou saidst to Madeleine that we should bring some supper back. Thou didst, Hilda!"

"I did, darling," allowed her sister, looking a little ashamed. "I could not peace the babe else, and--I hoped we should."

I could bear no more. The truth of those maids' story was in the little one's bitter disappointment, and in poor Hilda's hungry eyes. Eyes speak sooth, though lips be false.

"Come," said I. "I pray you, tarry but one moment more. You shall not lose by it."

"We are at Madame's service," said Hilda.

I ran up degrees as fast as ever I could. As the saints would have it, that very minute I oped the door, was Dame Elizabeth haling forth silver in her lap, and afore her stood the jeweller's man awaiting to be paid.

Blame me who will, I fell straight on those gold pieces and silver crowns.

"Fourteen crowns, Dame Elizabeth!" quoth I, all scant of breath.

"Quick! give me them--for Hilda la Vileyne--and if no, may G.o.d forgive you, for I never will!"