More haughty than ambitious, he was feared because he avenged all affront; and yet not envied, because he seemed above all favour.
The holiday on the archery-ground was more than usually gay, for the rumour had spread from the court to the city that Edward was about to increase his power abroad, and to repair what he had lost in the eyes of Europe through his marriage with Elizabeth Gray, by allying his sister Margaret with the brother of Louis XI., and that no less a person than the Earl of Warwick had been the day before selected as ambassador on the important occasion.
Various opinions were entertained upon the preference given to France in this alliance over the rival candidate for the hand of the princess,--namely, the Count de Charolois, afterwards Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.
"By 'r Lady," said a stout citizen about the age of fifty, "but I am not over pleased with this French marriage-making! I would liefer the stout earl were going to France with bows and bills than sarcenets and satins.
What will become of our trade with Flanders,--answer me that, Master Stokton?
The House of York is a good House, and the king is a good king, but trade is trade.

Every man must draw water to his own mill." "Hush, Master Heyford!" said a small lean man in a light-gray surcoat.
"The king loves not talk about what the king does.

'T is ill jesting with lions.

Remember William Walker, hanged for saying his son should be heir to the crown." "Troth," answered Master Heyford, nothing daunted, for he belonged to one of the most powerful corporations of London,--"it was but a scurvy Pepperer [old name for Grocer] who made that joke; but a joke from a worshipful goldsmith, who has moneys and influence, and a fair wife of his own, whom the king himself has been pleased to commend, is another guess sort of matter.

But here is my grave-visaged headman, who always contrives to pick up the last gossip astir, and has a deep eye into millstones.