Master Lambert was overjoyed when he heard all. "Now you will find
your way back to your proper station and rank," he said.
"It may do more than that," said Grisell. "If I could plead his
cause."
Lambert only sighed. "I would fain your way was not won by a base,
mechanical art," he said.
"Out on you, my master. The needle and the bobbin are unworthy of
none; and as to the honour of the matter, what did Sir Leonard tell
us but that the Countess of Oxford, as now she is, was maintaining
her husband by her needle?" and Grisell ended with a sigh at thought
of the happy woman whose husband knew of, and was grateful for, her
toils.
The pattern needed much care, and Lambert induced Hans Memling
himself, who drew it so that it could be pricked out for the cushion.
In after times it might have been held a greater honour to work from
his pattern than for the Duchess, who sent to inquire after it more
than once, and finally desired that Mistress Grisell should bring her
cushion and show her progress.
She was received with all the same ceremonies as before, and even the
small fragment that was finished delighted the Princess, who begged
to see her at work. As it could not well be done kneeling, a
footstool, covered in tapestry with the many Burgundian quarterings,
was brought, and here Grisell was seated, the Duchess bending over
her, and asking questions as her fingers flew, at first about the
work, but afterwards, "Where did you learn this art, maiden?"
"At Wilton, so please your Highness.
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