d your head, your eyes have been dazzled by the gilding 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 tales which the
boastful young men of the Prince's court frame of each other. Give up
these pretensions, depart in peace to your fellows at Bordeaux, and we
will forget your insolent interference."

"Never, while I live," replied Eustace. "Vassals of Lynwood, guard
your young Lord."

"Vassals of Lynwood," said Fulk, "will you see your young Lord carried
off to perish in some unknown region, and yourselves left a prey to an
adventurer and freebooter?"

"For that matter, my Lord," said an old farmer, "if all tales be true,
Master Arthur is like to learn less harm with Sir Eustace than in your
jolly household--I for one will stand by our good Lord's brother to the
last. What say you, comrades?"

"Hurrah for the Lances of Lynwood!" shouted John Ingram, and the cry
was taken up by many a gruff honest voice, till the hall rang again,
and the opposing shout of "a Clarenham, a Clarenham!" was raised by the
retainers of the Baron. Eustace, at the same moment, raised his nephew
in his arms, and 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 matter for the council--in the name
of the King--for the love of Heaven--Leonard, son Leonard! for Heaven's
sake what have you to do with the matter? Down with that sword, and
follow me! Dost not hear, froward boy? Our names will be called in
question! Leonard, on your duty--Ha! have a care! there!"

These last words were broken short, as Gaston, rushing forwards to his
master's side, overthrew the table, which carried Sir Philip with it in
the fall, and he lay prostrate under the boards, a stumbling-block to a
stream of eager combatants, who one after another dashed against him,
fell, and either rose again, or remained kicking and struggling with
each other.

After several minutes' confused fighting, the tumult cleared away, as
it were, leaving the principals on each side opposite to each other,
and as the fortune of the day rested on their conflict, all became
gradually fixed in attention,