which it was received, showed her she was addressed by a man of
the highest quality. She recommenced her lay, and sung her best
accordingly; while the young duke seemed thoughtful and rather
affected towards the close of the ditty. But it was not his habit
to cherish such melancholy affections.

"This is a plaintive ditty, my nut brown maid," said he, chucking
the retreating glee maiden under the chin, and detaining her
by the collar of her dress, which was not difficult, as he sat on
horseback so close to the steps on which she stood. "But I warrant
me you have livelier notes at will, ma bella tenebrosa; ay, and
canst sing in bower as well as wold, and by night as well as day."

"I am no nightingale, my lord," said Louise, endeavouring to escape
a species of gallantry which ill suited the place and circumstances
--a discrepancy to which he who addressed it to her seemed
contemptuously indifferent.

"What hast thou there, darling?" he added, removing his hold from
her collar to the scrip which she carried.

Glad was Louise to escape his grasp, by slipping the knot of the
riband, and leaving the little bag in the Prince's hand, as, retiring
back beyond his reach, she answered, "Nuts, my lord, of the last
season."

The Prince pulled out a handful of nuts accordingly. "Nuts, child!
they will break thine ivory teeth, hurt thy pretty voice," said
Rothsay, cracking one with his teeth, like a village schoolboy.