Ah, she is drenched! Ah, if she will honour my poor house!"
The wife curtsied low, and by hospitable signs prayed the demoiselle
to come to the fire, and take off her wet mantle. It was a very
comfortable room, with a wide chimney, and deep windows glazed with
thick circles of glass, the spaces between leaded around in diamond
panes, through which vine branches could dimly be seen flapping and
beating in the storm. A table stood under one with various glasses
and vessels of curious shapes, and a big book, and at the other was a
distaff, a work-basket, and other feminine gear. Shelves with pewter
dishes, and red, yellow, and striped crocks, surrounded the walls;
there was a savoury cauldron on the open fire. It was evidently
sitting-room and kitchen in one, with offices beyond, and Grisell was
at once installed in a fine carved chair by the fire--a more
comfortable seat than had ever fallen to her share.
"Look you here, mistress," said Ridley; "you are in safe quarters
here, and I will leave you awhile, take the horses to the hostel, and
do mine errands across the river--'tis not fit for you--and come back
to you when the shower is over, and you can come and chaffer for your
woman's gear."
From the two good hosts the welcome was decided, and Grisell was glad
to have time for consultation. An Apothecary of those days did not
rise to the dignity of a leech, but was more like the present owner
of a chemist's shop, though a chemist then meant something much more
abstruse, who studied occult sciences, such as alchemy and astrology.
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