Lady John

“ If you are"—and Lady John's amusement took on a breadth—"you may be said to have a prudent mind and to be taking time by the forelock."
At this I pricked up my ears. "Do you mean because of his apparently incorruptible constancy?"
"I mean because the whole thing's so before one. She has him so in hand that they're neither of them in as much danger as would count for a mouse. It doesn't prevent his liking to dally by the way—for she dallies by the way, and he does everything she does. Haven't I observed her," Lady John continued, "dallying a little, so far as that goes, with you? ”

“ The young man watched the opposite window steadily and painfully from early in the afternoon until the moon shone bright; and from the time the moon shone bright until Madame John!—joy!—Madame John! and not 'Tite Poulette, stepped through the wicket, much dressed and well muffled, and hurried off toward the Rue Condé. Madame John was the "young lady;" and the young man's mind, glad to return to its own unimpassioned affairs, relapsed into quietude. ”

“ Server, and I remember rejoicing that, sympathetic as she showed herself, she didn't think it necessary to be, like Lady John, always "ready." She was delightfully handsome—handsomer than ever; slim, fair, fine, with charming pale eyes and splendid auburn hair. I said to myself that I hadn't done her justice; she hadn't organised her forces, was a little helpless and vague, but there was ease for the weary in her happy nature and her peculiar grace. These last were articles on which, five minutes later, before the house, where we still had a margin, I was moved to challenge Ford Obert. ”

“ Lady John was so placed that she could continue to look at our friends, and I made out in her that she was not, in respect to them, without some slight elements of perplexity. These were even sufficient to make her temporarily neglect the defence of the breach I had made in her consistency. "If you mean by 'impressing upon' her speaking to her, he hasn't gone—you can see for yourself—to impress upon her anything; they have the most extraordinary way, which I've already observed, of sitting together without sound. ”

“ Besides the natural beauty of the situation of the city of flowers and its wonderful buildings and art treasures, Lady John thoroughly enjoyed the society there, finding in it more cordiality and ease than in London. There were dancing and amateur theatricals for the young people, and for their parents intercourse with the men who were working for Italy’s independence, men who would “greatly dare and greatlier persevere,” and who became welcome guests at Pembroke Lodge when they visited England. ”

“ Lady John, as if to be patient with me, looked about at our companions for a hint of it, wondering which of the ladies I might have been supposed to "care for" so much as to tolerate in her a preference for a rival; but the effect of this survey was, I the next instant observed, a drop of her attention from what I had been saying. ”

“ I declared while I thought—"and all the more if I make out for myself that Lady John is the agent."
"You'll make it out if you talk to her—that is, I mean, if you make her talk. You'll see how she can."
"She keeps her wit then," I asked, "in spite of all she pumps into others?"
"Oh, she has enough for two!"
"I'm immensely struck with yours," I replied, "as well as with your generosity. I've seldom seen a woman take so handsome a view of another." ”

“ John. Well—if ever there was a poor, tormented animal ’tis the master.
Susan. Ah, mistress should have been born a drover by rights. ’Tis a grand nagging one as her’d have made, and sommat what no beast would ever have got the better of.
John. I wouldn’t stand in Master William’s shoes, not if you was to put me knee deep in gold.
Susan. Nor I.
John. Ah, this courting business, ’tis a rare caddling muddle when ’tis all done and said.
Susan. ’Tis according as some folks do find it, Master John.
John. ’Tis a smartish lot as you’ll get of it come Sunday night, my wench. You wait and see. ”

“ John. I’ve always been used to Saturday myself, but with a gentleman ’tis different like.
William. Well, John, there’s nothing in this day or that as far as I can see. A bad job is a bad job, no matter what, and the day of it does make but very little difference.
John. You’re right there, master. But if I may be so bold, where is it as you be going off courting this afternoon?
William. Ah—now you and me will have a straight talk one with another—for ’tis to you I look, John, for to pull me out of this fix where the mistress has gone and put me. ”

“ Thus, although Lord John was leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, he was of course much more free than when in office. He and his wife and the children went to Endsleigh, near Tavistock in Devonshire, a place lent him by the Duke of Bedford. It was a beautiful spot, and Lady John, who had now leisure to realise all that the affection and sympathy and care of such a man as her husband meant, used to accompany him on his shooting expeditions, much as she hated sport that consisted in killing, and on botanizing expeditions, in which she could take her full share. ”

“ You each have your turn; only his seems repeated, poor dear, till he's quite worn out with it."
I kept for a little this image in my eye. "I can see of course that his whole situation must be something of a strain for him; for I've not forgotten what you told me yesterday of his service with Lady John. To have to work in such a way for two of them at once"—it couldn't help, I admitted, being a tax on a fellow. Besides, when one came to think of it, the same man couldn't be two red herrings. To show as Mrs. Server's would directly impair his power to show as Lady John's. ”

“ Miss L. Lady John, this is one of our allies. He is good enough to squire me through the rabble from time to time.
Lady John. Well, I think it's very handsome of you, after what she said to-day about men. (Shakes hands.)
Trent. I've no great opinion of most men myself. I might add—or of most women.
Lady John. Oh! Well, at any rate I shall go away relieved to think that Miss Levering's plain speaking hasn't alienated all masculine regard. ”

“ SCENE II. Enter ROBIN HOOD and MATILDA at one door; LITTLE JOHN and MUCH the Miller's son at another door.
MUCH. Luck, I beseech thee, marry and amen!
Blessing betide them! (it be them indeed)
Ah, for my good lord and my little lady! [185]
ROB. H. What, Much and John! well-met in this ill time.
LIT. JOHN. In this good time, my lord, for, being met,
The world shall not depart us till we die. [186]
MAT. Say'st thou me so, John? as I am true maid,
If I live long, well shall thy love be paid.
MUCH. Well, there be on us, simple though we stand here, have as much love in them as Little John. ”

“ John. Bless my soul, but ’tis hard to keep up with all these goings on, and no mistake.
Julia. No need for you to try, John. If you are too old to run with us you must abide still and watch us as we go.
Chris. But there, you needn’t look downhearted, master, for I knows someone as’ll give you a rare warm welcome if so be as you should change your mind and take your chance in the open, same as we. ”

“ King John
Lady, stand up, be patient for awhile; And fellow, say, whose bastard is thy brother? Philip
Not for myself, nor for my mother now, But for the honor of so brave a man, Whom he accuseth with adultery, Here I beseech your grace upon my knees, To count him mad, and so dismiss us hence. Robert
Nor mad, nor mazed, but well advised, I Charge thee before this royal presence here To be a bastard to King Richard’s self, Son to your grace, and brother to your Majesty. Thus bluntly, and— Queen Eleanor
Young man, thou need’st not be ashamed of thy kin, Nor of thy sire. ”

“ John. ’Tis plain as you doesn’t know what you be a talking of. And ’tis a wonder as how such foolishness can came from the mouth of a sensible looking maid like yourself.
Julia. I shall not marry Master William Gardner.
John. I reckon as you’ll be glad enough to eat up every one of them words the day you claps eyes on Master William, for a more splendid gentleman nor he never fetched his breath.
Julia. I’ll never wed a farmer, John.
John. And then, look at the gift what Master William’s been and sent you. ’Tisn’t to everyone as master do part with his pig meat. That ’tisn’t. ”

“ As soon as Prince John observed that the destined Queen of the day arrived upon the field, assuming that air of courtesy which sat well upon him when he was pleased to exhibit it, he rode forward to meet her, doffed his bonnet, and, alighting from his horse, assisted the Lady Rowena from her saddle, while his followers uncovered at the same time, and one of the most distinguished dismounted to hold her palfrey.
“It is thus,” said Prince John, “that we set the dutiful example of loyalty to the Queen of Love and Beauty, and are ourselves her guide to the throne which she must this day occupy. ”

“ Thank you kindly, master.
William. And now, John, when the nosegay’s all gathered and the flowers bunched, what else should I do?
John. Well, then you gives it her when you gets to the door. And very like she’ll ask you into the parlour, seeing as you be a particular fine looking gentleman.
William. I could not stand that, John. I’ve no tongue to me within a strange house.
John. Well then, maybe as you and she will sit aside of one another in an arbour in the garden, or sommat of the sort.
William. Yes, John. And what next?
John. I’m blessed if I do know, master. You go along and commence. ”

“ I’m got an old woman, and ’tis hard I should be denied in aught that I’ve set my heart upon.
William. Please to set it upon something different, Mother, for I’m not a marrying man, and John he’ll tell you the same thing.
Mrs. Gardner. John! I’m sick of the very name of him. I can’t think how ’tis that you can lower yourself by being so close with a common farm hand, William.
William. Ah, ’twould be a rare hard matter to find the equal to John, Mother. ’Tis of gold all through, and every bit of him, that he is made. You don’t see many like John these days, that’s the truth. ”

“ God knows—and God only," answered Sir John. "The Lady Mary is a bigot, and that we all know.
"Yet I will tell you a State secret: she has sent a messenger to the Lord Mayor, declaring that should she be declared Queen, no Englishman shall suffer for his faith."
"Will she keep her word?" asked William.
"Qui vivra verra," answered Sir John; "but I foresee that all depends upon the man whom she shall marry, for marry she will. If, by the mercy of God, she marry a good man, all may be well; if she marry a bad one, then God help us!" ”

“ Laura. [Turning away passionately.] O, I’ve had enough of you and—and your master.
John. Now that’s what I do like for to hear. Because me and master have sommat else to do nor to stand giddle-gaddling in this old wood the rest of the day. Us have got a smartish lot of worry ahead of we, haven’t us, master?
William. You never said a truer word, John.
John. Come along then Master William. You can leave the spring vegetables to she. ’Tis more nor she deserves, seeing as her might have known as ’twas her mistress the both of us was after, all the time. ”

“ Lewis, the Dolphin and the heir of France, A man of noted valor through the world, Is yet unmarried: let him take to wife The beauteous daughter of the King of Spain, Niece to King John, the lovely lady Blanche, Begotten on his sister Eleanor. With her in marriage will her uncle give Castles and towers as fitteth such a match. The kings thus joined in league of perfect love, They may so deal with Arthur, duke of Brittany, Who is but young, and yet unmeet to reign, As he shall stand contented every way. ”

“ And little Lily Randal, John's own little girl, proudly showed her father what the pretty young lady had fastened round her neck: a gold chain with a small locket engraved with the letter L, just like one she wore herself, except that the hair in it was not dark, but pale gold like her own.
"She always was a sweet child, and she is still," said Mrs. Randal. "They haven't spoilt her. She told me the four years with us was the happiest of her life. I hope not. I hope there's many blessings in store for her."
"She was always something like an angel," said John thoughtfully. ”

“ I made up my mind on the spot that it had been no part of his plan to practise on her, and that the worst he could have been accused of was a good-natured acceptance, more apparent than real, for his own purposes, of her theory—which she from time to time let peep out—that they would have liked each other better if they hadn't been each, alas! so good. He profited by the happy accident of having pleased a person so much in evidence, and indeed it was tolerably clear to me that neither party was duped. Lady John didn't want a lover ”

“ But only Little John.
"Let be your [dule] ,'' said Little John,
"For His love that died on tree;
Ye that should be doughty men,
It is great shame to see.
"Our master has been hard bestood,
And yet scaped away;
Pluck up your hearts and leave this moan,
And hearken what I shall say.
"He has served Our Lady many a day,
And yet will securely;
Therefore I trust in her specially
No wicked death shall he die.
"Therefore be glad," said Little John,
"And let this mourning be,
And I shall be the monk's guide,
With the might of mild Mary. ”

“ John comes towards them.
Mrs. Gardner. Here’s John. Suppose he were to make himself useful in the garden for once instead of meddling in things that are none of his business.
John. I’ll be blowed if ’tis any more courting as I’ll do, neither for Master William nor on my own account.
William. Why, John, ’twasn’t your fault that the lady wouldn’t take me, you did your best with her, I know.
John. An that I did, Master William, but a more contrary coxsy sort of a maid I never did see. “I baint one as fancies pig meat,” her did say. And the nose of she did curl away up till it could go no higher. ”

“ BLANCH. That she is bound in honour still to do What you in wisdom still vouchsafe to say. KING JOHN. Speak then, Prince Dauphin; can you love this lady? LEWIS. Nay, ask me if I can refrain from love; For I do love her most unfeignedly. KING JOHN. Then do I give Volquessen, Touraine, Maine, Poictiers, and Anjou, these five provinces, With her to thee; and this addition more, Full thirty thousand marks of English coin. Philip of France, if thou be pleas'd withal, Command thy son and daughter to join hands. KING PHILIP. It likes us well; young princes, close your hands. ”