“But there is yet another matter, Rachel. Sir Piers maketh offer to set Jack in good place about the Court, for the which he saith he hath power. What sayest to that, trow?”
“I say that Jack is safe to go to wrack some whither, and may be ’twere as well hence as hither.”
“It shall be mighty chargeable, I fear,” said Sir Thomas thoughtfully.
“Jack shall be that any whither.”
“Wouldst have me, then, say Ay to both offers?”
“Nay, think well touching Jack first. I meant not that. Good sooth! I sorely misdoubt—”
“Well, I will see what saith Orige unto both, and Jack and Lucrece to either.”
“If I be a prophet,” answered Rachel, “one and all shall say, Ay.”
If that were the criterion, Rachel proved a prophet One and all did say ay. Lady Enville was enchanted with both schemes. Jack averred that life at home was a very humdrum kind of thing, and life might be worth having in London, and at Court. And Lucrece, in her demure style, softly declared that she was thankful for Sir Piers’ goodness, and would gladly accept his offer, though she felt that her merits were not equal to the kind estimate which he had formed of her.
“But, Lucrece,” said her father gravely, “one told me that Arthur Tremayne had made suit unto thee.”