No, Sir Thomas, I shall find my way, replied the other; and, respectfully saluting Anne, who extended to him her hand as if they were about to dance a saraband upon the bridge, he escorted her and her father to the other side, and Sir Thomas walked pompously away.
Now, Master Jeremiah Cobbe, said Sir Mark, sharply, if you will shew me into the house we will talk together.
As long as you like, sir, was the reply; and leading the way, after giving his hat a defiant cock on one side, Jeremiah Cobbe ushered his visitor into a large, low-ceiled room, panelled with oak, and whose lattice windows were deeply embayed. The place was plainly but well furnished, with open fireplace and dogs, and large fireback of Sussex iron, the latter bearing the founders name; and the visitor raised his eyebrows a little to find in place of the rough homeliness of a rustic house a handsome carpet from a Turkish loom spread over the centre of the well-waxed and polished floor, a large Venetian mirror at one end, Venice glasses and a quaint timepiece on the great carved oak sideboard; and even the straight-backed, heavy oak chairs covered with brown Turkey leather. Over the high mantel-piece was a group of curious old arms, and in several places well-kept weapons hung against the panels, with curiosities from foreign lands, one tall cabinet being full of Indian and China ware.
Masculine all this; but as Sir Marks eye glanced quickly round he saw several traces of feminine occupation, for on a stand in one corner was a great china bowl full of rose-leaves, and in a vase a well-arranged nosegay of simple, old-fashioned flowers, the table it occupied being close beside a large tambour-frame with some design in progress. There was the odour of burnt tobacco in the room, doing battle with the fragrance from the garden, which floated in at the open window, where roses nodded and scattered their petals upon the broad oaken sill. There was a chair there too, and a basket of freshly-gathered currants shining like smooth rubies in their nest of leaves, and in an instant the visitor concluded that the deep bay by the casement opening upon the rich, old-fashioned garden, was the favourite seat of the girl he had seen engaged in fishing as they came along.
Sit you down, sir, cried the bluff yeoman heartily, and, opening a cupboard in the wall, he took out a couple of Venetian flasks, and some tall glasses of a pale green veined with threads of opal hue, placed them on the table, and with them a leaden box, and a couple of thick-stemmed pipes with tiny bowls.
Now, sir, he continued, thats old sherry sack, and thats metheglin of my daughters make. Here, Janet, he shouted, bring a big jug of ale from the second cask; and in due time a good-looking, well-shaped girl bore in upon an old silver salver a battered flagon of clear ale, whose coolness was shown by the pearly dew rapidly deposited on the bright silver sides.
Your good health, and welcome, sir, said the yeoman, lifting the great silver flagon, raising the lid with his thumb, and taking a hearty draught. Hah! he ejaculated, drawing a long breath, as he set down the vessel. I dont suppose you would care to drink our common ale, my own brewing, though, and strong. But you do not drink, sir. Which shall it be? and he stretched out his hand to push the flasks towards his guest.
Business first, Master Cobbe, said Sir Mark haughtily, as, taking his sheathed sword from where it hung, he rested it across his knees; I have somewhat to say.
Will you smoke, then? cried the sturdy yeoman, reaching his hand to the little pipes, and pushing the leaden box towards his guest.
I never smoke, sir; I agree with his Majesty that it is an evil, noxious, and diabolical habit.
I do smoke, and I dont agree with his Majesty, said Cobbe, gruffly, as he proceeded to fill his pipe by means of a little silver stopper, for a childs finger would hardly have passed into the bowl.
I must request, sir, that you will refrain from smoking until I leave your house, said the visitor sternly.
Jeremiah Cobbes face grew red with anger, but he smothered his annoyance, laid down his pipe, took a fresh draught of ale, let the lid fall with a clink, and threw himself back in his chair.
Go on then, sir, he cried. I shall be glad to hear what business you have
to settle with me. If it is for half-a-dozen culverins for his Majestys army, or by the good Peter, I have it, he has got to know about my new howitzers, and he has sent to see. Now, how the holy postle did he get to know about them?
My good fellow, have the kindness to listen to me, said Sir Mark.
Good fellow, eh! cried Cobbe, flushing again, and smiting the table with his fist. But there, go on, sir, go on; you are a messenger to me from the King.
His Majesty, said Sir Mark, leaning back in his chair, and half-closing his eyes, as he gazed imperiously at the other, has had it brought to his knowledge that you, Jeremiah Cobbe, of Roehurst, in the county of Sussex.
Right, said the other nodding.