He intended, so soon as she had made up
her cargo of wool, to return in her to his native country, and he was
urgent that the Lady Grisell should go with him, representing that
all the changes of fortune in the convulsed kingdom of England were
sure to be quickly known there, and that she was as near the centre
of action in Flanders as in Durham, besides that she would be out of
reach of any enemies who might disbelieve the hare transformation.
After learning the fate of her castle, Grisell much inclined to the
proposal which kept her with those whom she had learnt to trust and
love, and she knew that she need be no burthen to them, since she had
profitable skill in their own craft, and besides she had her jewels.
Ridley, moreover, gave her hopes of a certain portion of her dues on
the herring-boats and the wool.
"Will not you come with the lady, sir?" asked Lambert.
"Oh, come!" cried Grisell.
"Nay, a squire of dames hath scarce been heard of in a Poticar's
shop," said Ridley, and there was an irresistible laugh at the rugged
old gentleman so terming himself; but as Lambert and Grisell were
both about to speak he went on, "I can serve her better elsewhere. I
am going first to my home at Willimoteswick. I have not seen it
these forty year, and whether my brother or my nephew make me welcome
or no, I shall have seen the old moors and mosses. Then methought I
would come hither, or to some of the towns about, and see how it
fares with the old Tower and the folk; and if they be as good as
their word, and keep their dues for my lady, I could gather them, and
take or bring them to her, with any other matter which might concern
her nearly.
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