The Lances of Lynwood

eighbouring villagers, with beggars, palmers, mendicant friars of all orders, pressing to the buttery-hatch, where they received the dole of bread, meat, and ale, from the hands of

n experienced the bounty of the departed lady, replied with tears and blessings. There were not wanting the usual thoug

essed in black, stood by the side of his uncle, to receive the greetings of his yeoman vassals, as they came in, one by one, wi

st, Father Cyril, and some of the neighbouring clergy had been chanting psalms since morning light. On the way Sir Eustace held some conference with the chief, Brother Michael, who had come prepared to assist in conve

compliments on Eustace, who was rejoiced when the sound of horses made it necessary to go and meet Lord de Clarenham at the door. Arthur looked up in Sir Fulk's face, with a look in which curiosity and defiance were expressed; while Fulk, on his side, was ready to grind his teeth with vexation at the unexpected sight of

nd requiem were chanted, and the corpse of the Lady Eleanor, inclosed in a stone

her table on the dais for the retainers and yeomanry, the latte

no one who did not feel as if on the eve of a storm; but all was grave and decorous; and at length Brother Michael and the monks of Glastonbury, rejoicing that they, at least, had escaped a turmoi

orses, Miles; and you, my young kinsman, Arthur, you are to be my

n my nephew's name for your intended hospitality, but I purpose at onc

sooth! It is well for you, my fair young cousin, that I have other claims to you, since, wer

lk?" asked Eustace, coldly, disdaining to ta

d his nearest relation of f

eplied the young Knight. "The house of Lynwood owns no master beneath the King of England, and the wardship of my nep

Eleanor Lynwood, bequeathing the wardship and marriage of her son to her beloved brother, Sir Eustace L

y of Lynwood had no right to make a will in this manner, sinc

d Eustace; "but my rights are not founded on it alone. My brother,

more is needed in points of law, and you can scarcely expect the world to believe that Sir R

m, Eustace,' said Sir Reginald, as he lay with his head on his brother's breast; a

ering in his ear, whilst he knit his brow, shuffled with his feet

and bending on father and son glances which were well understood. "T

de Clarenham?" cried Gaston; "for

quire," answered Clarenham, "do not dispose me t

you are not of my degree! Here, ye craven Squires, will not one of you take up my glo

will maintain that he never heard of a certain one-eyed Basque, and neve

t?" fiercely

Sir Squire," sa

tempest of rage, when Eustace's c

d know that no man's word can be esteemed more sacred, or

sides, on your own assertion, Sir Eustace. Once more, Master Leonard Ashton, let me hear yo

all this time, "speak up; you may be grieved to disappoint a once-f

Stand forth, Leonard, on your honour. Did you or did you not hea

is father held him fast; he looked down, and mutter

it out

harge of his wife and child-he bade Gaston not to return to evil

sternly-"when the Prince was

ve said of knightly training for his son-but-but what do I know?" he added, as his father pressed hard on his foot; "it

, saying it was as hot as a copper cauldron; and besides, our good Knight, when he said those words touching M

ur own train, Sir Eus

hose word even you will scarcely dare

an of the lands and person of the heir of Lynwood. The Lord Chancellor Wykeham may weigh the credit to be attached to the witness of this highly respectab

when I do, it shall be sword in hand to ask for an acc

k. "Once more, Sir Eustace, will you

ther's corpse to shield him

emember the unrepealed grant to the Clarenhams. The Lynwood manor may be at any moment

," said Eustace. "Let him do his worst; my nephew had bett

use of provoking a fray at such a time. Hold your hand, and yie

d him to me, and I will fulfil my promise. The

srepresented. These young warriors are hot and fiery, and this young Kni

ding of your spurs, and you have fancied yourself a man; but in your own county and your own family, airs are not to be borne. We rate you at what you are worth, and are not to be imposed on by idle

ed Eustace. "Vassals of Lynw

g Lord carried off to perish in some unknown region, and

hur is like to learn less harm with Sir Eustace than in your jolly household-I fo

nd lifted him up into the embrasure of one of the high windows. Sir Philip Ashton still hung upon Clarenham, pleading in broken sentences which were lost in the uproar: "Hold! Hold! my Lord. Nay, nay, think but"-(here he was thrust roughly aside by Fulk)-"Sir Eustace, do but hear-it will be a m

Sir Philip with it in the fall, and he lay prostrate under the boards, a stumbling-block to a stream of eager combatants,

side opposite to each other, and as the fortune of the day rested on their conflict, all became gradually fixe

s use. Old Ralph was uttering under his breath ecstatic exclamations: "Ha! Well struck! A rare foil-a perfect hit-Have a care-Ah! there comes my old blow-That is right-Old Sir Henry's master-stroke- There-one of your new French backstrok

lk de Clarenham," he added, as his fallen foe moved, and began to raise himself, "you have received a lesson, by which I hope you will profit.

ied with the blow as to be passive in their hands, and to allow himself to be led into the court, and placed on his horse. Before

prevent them from indulging in this triumph. Probably, too, they expected the satisfaction of drinking the health of the victor, for there were many disappointed countenances when he spoke from the steps of the porch:-"Thanks for your good

claiming, "So you have won me, and shall keep me forever, Uncle Eustace; but come in, for here is poor

; "I trust not seriously," and he advanced towards the arm-chair, where Sir Philip Ashton was sitting, attended by Father Cyril and a man-a

hilip. I grieve that you should have met with this mishap. But

emain here, nor any of us, for longer space than the saddling of a horse. Alas! alas! my young friend

ace. "You are heavily bruised-best l

e than you could give me. I should but endanger myself without benefiting you. Alas!

ut I know not what I have d

e-Ah! ah! not so fast-Oh! I shall never get over it! There-mind you, I did all to prevent this unhappy business-I am clear o

ameless attempt to seize the person of my ward. I repelled him by force of arms, and I th

is to have for your foe the most mighty man of the county-nay, of the court; for your foe, Lord

tion at Bordeaux; but it was only with difficulty that Eustace was prevailed on to fly, as he said, from his accusers. The good Father had to say, with a smile, that after all there was as much need for patience and submission under the helm as under

of which he gave to be distributed in alms, part he still confided to Father Cyril's keeping, and the rest