Thou shalt have a suit, and that of the newest cut, I promise thee, on the word of a princess." "May it please your Grace," said Walter, hesitating, "it is not for so humble a servant of your Majesty to measure out your bounties; but if it became me to choose--" "Thou wouldst have gold, I warrant me," said the Queen, interrupting him.

"Fie, young man! I take shame to say that in our capital such and so various are the means of thriftless folly, that to give gold to youth is giving fuel to fire, and furnishing them with the means of self-destruction.

If I live and reign, these means of unchristian excess shall be abridged.

Yet thou mayest be poor," she added, "or thy parents may be.

It shall be gold, if thou wilt, but thou shalt answer to me for the use on't." Walter waited patiently until the Queen had done, and then modestly assured her that gold was still less in his wish than the raiment her Majesty had before offered.
"How, boy!" said the Queen, "neither gold nor garment?
What is it thou wouldst have of me, then ?" "Only permission, madam--if it is not asking too high an honour--permission to wear the cloak which did you this trifling service." "Permission to wear thine own cloak, thou silly boy!" said the Queen.
"It is no longer mine," said Walter; "when your Majesty's foot touched it, it became a fit mantle for a prince, but far too rich a one for its former owner." The Queen again blushed, and endeavoured to cover, by laughing, a slight degree of not unpleasing surprise and confusion.
"Heard you ever the like, my lords?
The youth's head is turned with reading romances.