he drew back, and stood in sheepish embarrassment,
fumbling with his dagger, while Sir Philip was lavishing 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 the only man who could interfere
with his projects. Then he glanced at his own numerous and
well-appointed retinue, compared them with the small number of the
Lynwood vassals, and with another look at his adversary's youthful and
gentle appearance, he became reassured, and returned his salutations
with haughty ceremony.

The whole company moved in solemn procession towards the chapel, where
the mass and requiem were chanted, and the corpse of the Lady Eleanor,
inclosed in a stone coffin, was lowered to its resting-place, in the
vault of her husband's ancestors.

It was past noon when the banquet was spread in the hall; a higher
table on the dais for the retainers and yeomanry, the latter of whom
were armed with dagger, short sword, or quarter-staff.

Sir Philip Ashton and Brother Michael were chiefly at the expense of
the conversation, Eustace meanwhile doing the honours with grave
courtesy, taking care to keep his nephew by his side. There was 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 turmoil, took their leave,
mounted their mules, and rode off, in all correctness of civility
toward the house of Lynwood, which, as Eustace could not help feeling,
they thus left to fight its own battles.

"It waxes late," said Lord de Clarenham, rising; "bring out the horses,
Miles; and you, my young kinsman, Arthur, you are to be my guest from
henceforth. Come, therefore, prepare for the journey."

Arthur held fast by the hand of his uncle, who replied, "I thank you in
my nephew's name for your intended hospitality, but I purpose at once
to conduct him to Bordeaux, to be enrolled among the Prince's pages."

"Conduct him to Bordeaux, said the Knight?" answered Sir Fulk with a
sneer; "to Bordeaux forsooth! It is well for you, my fair young
cousin, that I have other claims to you, since, were you once out of
England, I can well guess who would return to claim th