"One Joan Sedley," replied Matcham, colouring. "It was Sir Daniel's

doing; he hath money to gain upon both sides; and, indeed, I have heard

the poor wench bemoaning herself pitifully of the match. It seems she is

of your mind, or else distasted to the bridegroom."

Well! marriage is like death, it comes to all," said Dick, with

resignation. "And she bemoaned herself? I pray ye now, see there how

shuttle-witted are these girls: to bemoan herself before that she had

seen me! Do I bemoan myself? Not I. An I be to marry, I will marry

dry-eyed! But if ye know her, prithee, of what favour is she? fair or

foul? And is she shrewish or pleasant?"

"Nay, what matters it?" said Matcham. "An y' are to marry, ye can but

marry. What matters foul or fair? These be but toys. Y' are no

milksop, Master Richard; ye will wed with dry eyes, anyhow."

It is well said," replied Shelton. "Little I reck."

Your lady wife is like to have a pleasant lord," said Matcham.

She shall have the lord Heaven made her for," returned Dick. "It trow

there be worse as well as better."

Ah, the poor wench!" cried the other.

And why so poor?" asked Dick.

The Black Arrow