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Two months before the story begins, Warwick had taken advantage of some quarrel between Edward and his brother George of Clarence to allure the latter to the Lancastrian cause. He offered him an enormous bribe to come over, being his elder daughter Isabel, with one half of her mother's vast inheritance. It must not be forgotten that all Warwick's titles were derived from females. He was Earl of Salisbury in succession to his mother, and Earl of Warwick only by courtesy, in right of his wife. His two daughters, Isabel and Anne, were his only children, and the richest heiresses in the kingdom. They were both extremely beautiful girls, but Isabel was considered the lovelier. Clarence, who kept neither a heart nor a conscience, was ready to do any thing, good, bad, or indifferent, which promised to promote his own advancement in this world. He accepted Warwick's offer; and was now therefore in arms against his brother, and a member of Warwick's household at Middleham Castle, of which household Frideswide Marston was about to form an item.
CHAPTER II.
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LILIES AMONG THE THORNS.
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"Thy soul was like a star, and dwelt apart."—WORDSWORTH.
"Aye, perchance that may serve. What cost it by the yard?"
That was a piece of superb purple satin, which the tailor was holding up for inspection, in the best way to catch the light.
"Five nobles, an' it please my Lady."
Five nobles amounted to one pound thirteen and fourpence, and was the price of the very best quality. It is not easy to reduce it into modern value, since authorities are disagreed on the multiple required. Some would go as high as sixteen times the value, while others would reduce it to five. Mv own opinion inclines to the highest number.
"And wherewith wouldst line it, good Whityngham?"
"With velvet, Madam?" suggested the tailor interrogatively.
"Aye. Let it be black."
"At your Ladyship's pleasure."
"And I will have the cloak well furred with Irish fox. Is my broched[#] cloth of gold gown made ready?"
[#] Figured.