Beshrew me, friend," he added, regarding Mabel, "you have
a comely daughter."
"5he is my granddaughter, sir," replied Tristram.
"Well, your granddaughter, then," said the other; "by the mass, a lovely
wench. We have none such in Guildford, and I doubt if the king hath
such in Windsor Castle. What say you, Charles Brandon?"
"It were treason to agree with you, Harry La Roy," replied Brandon,
laughing, "for they say the king visits with the halter all those who
disparage the charms of the Lady Anne Boleyn. But, comparisons
apart, this damsel is very fair."
"You will discompose her, my masters, if you praise her thus to her
face," said Tristram somewhat testily. " Here, Mab, bring forth all my
scanty larder affords, and put some rashers of bacon on the fire."
"Cold meat and bread will suffice for us," said Harry: "we will not trouble
the damsel to play the cook."
With this Mabel, who appeared a good deal embarrassed by the
presence of the strangers, spread a cloth of snow-white linen on the
little table, and placed the remains of the pie and a large oven cake
before them. The new-comers sate down, and ate heartily of the
humble viands, he who had answered to the name of Harry frequently
stopping in the course of his repast to compliment his fair attendant.
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