She, who in the old days of the Hastings burnings had been but a lily
bud, was now an open flower and beautiful exceedingly; indeed in her own
fashion the most beautiful woman that ever I beheld. Tall she was and
stately as a lily bloom, white as a lily also, save for those wondrous
blue eyes over which curled the dark lashes. In shape, too, she was
perfect, full-breasted, yet not too full, small-waisted, and with
delicate limbs, a very Venus, such an one as I had seen in ancient
marble brought in a ship from Italy and given, as I believe, to the
King, who loved such things, to be set up in his palace.
My lord also was yet handsomer than he had been, more set and manly,
though still he affected his coxcomb party-coloured dress with the
turned-up shoes of which the points were fastened by little golden
chains beneath the knee. Still he was a fine man with his roving black
eyes, his loose mouth and little pointed beard from which, as from his
hair, came an odour of scents. Seeing me in my merchant's gown, for I
remained mindful of my uncle's advice as regards attire, he spoke to me
as great men do to shop-keepers.
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