After London

to Co

t wake. The horrible sounds stopped; there was the sound of voices, as if two persons, one without and one within the wall, were hailing each other; a gate swung open, and the waggon came past under the very window o

losure into two portions; the dwelling-house and its offices being on one side, the granaries and storehouses on the other. But a few yards to the left of his room, a strong gate in the enclosing wall gave entrance to this roadway. I

step down out of sight to prepare a fresh supply. At each corner there was a large platform, where a considerable number of men could stand and command the approaches; there were, however,

ight hand, and the granaries and general storehouses on the left, the latter built on three sides of a square. Farther on, on the same side, were the stables, and near them the forge and workshops.

f with the house. The house fronted in the opposite direction to the roadway; there was a narrow green lawn between it and the enceinte, or wall, and before the general hall and kitchens a gravelled court. This was parted from the lawn by palings

rning to the left, was drawn up before the doors of the warehouse. This waggon was low, built for the carriage of goods only, of hewn plank scarcely smooth, and the wheels we

e season's clip, had come in four or five miles from an out-lying cot, or sheep-pen, at the foot of the hills. In the buildings round the granary yard there were stored not only the corn and flour required for the retainers (who might at an

dwelling-houses included) roofed with red tile. Lesser houses, cottages, and sheds at a distance were

ion of the stars, and often, when sun or stars were obscured, went by guess. The house horn was blown thrice a day; at six in the morning, as a signal that the day had begun, at noon as a signal for dinner, at six in the afternoon as a signal that the day (except in h

ng came freely into the room. There was now the buzz of voices without, men unloading the wool, men at the workshops and in the granaries, and others waiting at the door of the ste

e East, the morning, and the light. Before he had half dressed there came a knock and then an impatient kick at the door. He unbarred it, and his brother Oliver entered

his table and his seat, unlike the rude blocks in Felix's room, were tastefully carved. His seat, too, had a back, and he had even a couch of his own construction. By his bedhead hung his sword, h

, had often been offered for it in vain; persuasion, and even covert threats from those higher in authority who coveted it, were alike wasted. The sword had been in the family for generations, and when

and accoutrements. The helmet and the shirt of mail, the iron greaves and spurs, the sh

ent, his whole life was spent with horse, sword, and lance. A year younger than Felix, he was at least ten years physically older. He measured several inches more round the chest;

stood every inch a man, with dark, curling, short-cut hair, brown cheek and Roman chin, trimmed moustache, brown eye, shaded by long eyelashes and well-marked brows; every inch a natural king of m

y life of the elder. In time of real trouble and difficulty they would have been drawn together; as it was, there was little communion; the one went his way, and the other his. There was perhaps rather

contemptuous, or sarcastic in manner. His slender frame, too tall for his width, was against him; he could neither lift the weights nor undergo the muscular strain readily borne by Oliver. It was easy to see that Felix, although

arrows fell unerringly in the centre of the target, the swift deer and the hare were struck down with ease, and even the wood-pigeon in full flight.

had mingled with the crowd, the Prince sent for him to shoot at the butt, and display his skill among the soldiery, instead of with the knights in the tilting ring. Felix shot, indeed, but shut his eyes th

two hundred yards. He did so, and in an instant a shaft was sent through it. After that O

placing his arms on it. The sunshine fell on his curly dark hair, still wet from the river. "Stud

cold this morning?" said F

ry early, and a mist on the surface; but it was splendid

, having learnt the art, it no more tempted him. "Y

was rather dusky, but Night

her hoof in a rabbit

er the twelve miles in less than an hour. Sharp work,

the news

e told Louis he was a double-faced traitor, and Louis told the Prince h

fiftiet

it is mor

be sent for again this mo

N

is brother into the country, where he might be resorted t

nd speak in whispers, and you can't tell whom you are talking to; they may turn on you if you say too

ht!

some more news, bu

I do

n the woods all by yourself?

x la

r news. I am

rn, but the people there had been warned, and were ready. And there's an envoy from Sypolis arrived;

e Holy League,"

to do to-day?" asked

wn to my canoe

he trout are rising. H

box there, I think;

ment, and knotted the thong round his chest. He found some hooks at the bottom, and after breakfast they walked out together, Olive