...parsimony, that when the fugitive Queen of Scots appealed to her princely benevolence for fitting clothing, Elizabeth sent her two torn shifts, two pieces of black velvet, and two pairs of shoes. Even Sir Francis Knollys was obliged for shame to shield his mistress by saying that...

...that she was even without a change of linen ; her necessities were nobly relieved by ' a couple of torn shifts, two pieces of black velvet, and two ' pair of shoes.' The rags of Elizabeth's friendship were not more worthy of gratitude. While she made a show of supporting...

...to provide her with a wardrobe. Elizabeth, with that strange parsimony which at times is ludicrous, sent her ' two torn shifts, two pieces of black velvet, and two pairs of shoes.' We can imagine the jeers with which Mary and her ladies opened the parcel ; but they...