And invective against the feeble Henry and the warlike and revengeful Margaret of Anjou, scornfully called “the Frenchwoman,” ran so high that Paul presently drew his kinsman away, and tried to interest him in other matters.

“Heed them not, my lord,” he whispered.  “We know there have ever been two factions in the kingdom, and in these parts they are all for the House of York.  But the coming of this peddler may be good for you.  Said you not that you wished to purchase a riding dress?  His wares are good and not too costly for narrow purses.  Since we mean to ride to London shortly, this were no bad time to furnish yourself with such things as you need for the journey.”

Edward roused himself with an effort, and shook off the melancholy which had crept over his face as he listened to the talk round the table.  The peddler’s wares were being unpacked and handed round for inspection in a free and easy fashion enough; but the man made no objection, and only kept a pretty keen watch upon his property, glancing from time to time at the stranger youth with rather marked scrutiny, which, however, the latter did not observe.

There was a riding dress amongst the goods of the peddler somewhat similar to the one recently purchased by Paul, and Edward decided upon the purchase of it, if he could come to terms with the man.  He and Paul both desired to make some present to the bride, and picked out, the one an elegant high-peaked headdress, such as the ladies of the day loved to wear, though satirists made merry at the expense of their “exalted horns;” the other, some of the long gold pins to fasten both cap and hair which were equally acceptable as an adjunct to a lady’s toilet.

Edward brought his purchases over to the corner where the peddler had ensconced himself, and addressed him in a low tone: 

“See here, my good fellow.  I am a wanderer from foreign parts; and my servant, who had charge of my moneybag, lost his life, I fear me, in trying to effect the landing on these shores, which I was lucky enough to manage in safety.  Thus it comes about that I have but little gold about me.  But your trade is one that barters all kinds of gear, and I have this pearl clasp to offer to you in part exchange for what I wish to take of you, so doubtless you will furnish me over and above with money to put in my gipsire:  for the clasp is a valuable one, as any one who knows gems can see at a glance; nor would I part with it, but that necessity compels me.”

The peddler looked at the clasp attentively, and then gave such a quick, keen look at the prince as would have aroused Paul’s anxiety had he been near at hand.  But he had not observed his comrade’s last move, and was still patiently holding out stuffs in good natured if rather clumsy man fashion for the farmer’s wife and daughter to take stock of and compare one with another.

“Hum—­yes—­a pretty trinket and a costly one, I doubt not, for those that have a market for such things,” returned the peddler.  “And how came you by it, young sir?  It scarce seems in accord with the simplicity of your dress and appointments.”