He did not know, poor victim! that they required no drying.
“Thou shalt have what thou wouldst. Tell me the sum thou lackest, and I will spare it, though I cut timber therefor.”
Which was equivalent, in his eyes, to the very last and worst of all honest resources for raising money.
Lady Enville made a rapid calculation (with her handkerchief still at her eyes), which ran much in this fashion:—
| Velvet dress—at least 40; say | 45 0 0 |
| Satin kirtle—about | 20 0 0 |
| Kersey dress | 3 10 0 |
| Hood, best | 1 6 8 |
| Hood, second-rate | 13 4 |
| Frontlet | 4 4 |
| Lawn for ruffs (embroidered at home) say | 2 6 |
| Gloves, one dozen pairs, best quality | 2 6 |
| Ribbon, 40 yards, various colours | 13 4 |
| Miscellaneous items, a good margin, say | 9 7 4 |
| Which makes a total of | 80 0 0 |
Without removing the signal of distress, her Ladyship announced that the small sum of 80 pounds would satisfy her need: a sum equivalent to about 1200 pounds in our day. Sir Thomas held his breath. But he knew that unless he had courage authoritatively to deny the fair petitioner, argument and entreaty would alike be thrown away upon her. And that courage he was conscious he had not.
“Very well, Orige,” he said quietly; “thou shalt have it.”
But he ordered four fine oaks to be felled that evening.
“Clare, what lackest thou in the matter of raiment?” he asked when he met her alone.
“If it liked your goodness to bestow on me a crown-piece, Father, I would be very thankful,” said Clare, blushing as if she thought herself extravagant. “I do lack gloves and kerchiefs.”