The city had already stretched beyond the walls, and on the rising ground
between it and the Tower, and on the rise behind the latter, extending to
some distance east, many houses had been built. Some of these were the
property of nobles and officials of the Court, while others had been built
by citizens who let them to persons of degree, who only came occasionally
to Court on business or pleasure. The house in which Sir Ralph had taken
up his lodging was the property of a trader who, when the house was not
let to one needing it all, resided there himself as a protection to the
property it contained against robbers or ill-doers, often letting one or
more rooms to those who needed not the whole house. Thus Sir Ralph was
enabled to obtain good accommodation for his family.

"The first thing to be done," he went on, "is to take the lads to a
tailor's to obtain clothes more suitable than those they wear."

"I was going to ask you if you would be good enough to do so, Sir Ralph,"
Edgar said. "My father has furnished me with money for the purpose."

"That is well," the knight said, "though indeed it would have mattered not
if he had not done so, for I had intended that you and Albert should have
garments of similar fashion at my cost, seeing how much I owe to you."

"Indeed, Sir Ralph, such obligation as there is, is far more than
discharged by your kindness in speaking of me to the king and offering to
present me to him; indeed, I am ashamed that what was a pleasure to me,
and was done from the love I bear your son, should be regarded as worthy
of thanks, much less as an obligation."

"Cannot we come with you also?" Lady De Courcy said. "From what you say we