’Ah! a breeze from the north would bring life back to my old bones.  Aye, Giles, this place has made an old woman of me.’  And truly her bright ruddy face was faded to a purple hue, and her cheeks hung haggard and almost withered, but as her visitors expressed their grief and sympathy, she went on in her own tone.  ’And tell me somewhat of how things are going.  How doth Richard of Warwick comport himself to the King?  Hath your King zest enough to reign?  Is my White Rose King still abroad in Burgundy?’ And as Sir Giles replied to each inquiry in turn, and told all he could of political matters, she exclaimed:  ’Ah! that is better than the hearing whether the black hen hath laid an egg, or the skein of yellow silk matches.  I am weary, O!  I am weary.  Moreover, young Hal, I know as matters are that could I see George Nevil face to face I could do somewhat with him, and I laid my plans to obtain a meeting, but therewith, what with vexation and weariness and lack of air, comes this sickness, and I am laid aside and can do nought but pray, and lay my plans to meet him some day in the fields, and show him what a hawk can do, then shame him into listening to my tale.  But I must be a sound woman first!  And maybe his brother Warwick, being a sturdy gentleman who loves a brave man, will be better to deal with.  I am a sinful woman, and maybe my devotions here will help me to be more worthy to be heard.  Moreover, I hoped you had done somewhat in thine own cause with thy King and Earl Oxford,’ she proceeded.  ’Thou hast an esquire’s coat; hast thou any hope of thy lands?’

‘I must strive to earn them by deeds,’ said Hal.  ‘And—­’

’Well spoken, lad!  ’Tis the manly way; but methought you hadst interest with this King of thine, or hath he only a royal memory for services?’

‘He is good to me.  Yea, most good,’ began Harry.

‘Ay, he loves the boy,’ said Sir Giles, ’no question about that; but his memory for all that is about him hath failed, and there is nothing for it save to wait for the Queen and the Prince, who will bear the boy’s father’s services in mind.’

’And wherefore tarries the French woman?  This maid’s father is to come over with her.  He is forming her English court, I trow; she can have few beside from England.’

‘When he comes,’ said Harry, with a look into Anne’s eyes that made them droop and her cheeks burn, ’then shall we put it to the touch.  Then shall I know whether I have mine own, and what is more than mine own.’

‘Thine own,’ whispered Anne.  ’Oh, better live in the sheepfolds with thee than with this Baron!  I shudder at the thought.’

This, and a few more such words were an aside, while the Prioress continued her conversation with Sir Giles, and went on to say that she was sure she should never recover till she was out of these walls, and away from London smoke and London smells, and she naughtily added in a whisper the weary talk of these good nuns, who had never flown a hawk or chased a deer in their lives, and thought Florimond a mere wolf, if not the evil one himself, and kept the poor hound chained up like a malefactor in gyves, till she was fain to send him away with Master Lorimer to keep for her.