ing orders, others being scolded,
the steel clanging, hammers ringing without intermission. Most of the
party, such at least as could leave their employment without a sharp
reprimand from one or the other of the contending authorities, the
Seneschal and the Squire, were gathered round the steps, where the
armourer was displaying, with many an encomium, his bundles of lances,
his real Toledo blades, and his helmets of the choicest fashion.
Gaston d'Aubricour and Ralph were disputing respecting a certain suit
of armour, which the latter disapproved, because it had no guards for
the knees, while the former contended that the only use for such
protections was to disable a man from walking, and nearly from standing
when once unhorsed.

"In my day, Master d'Aubricour, it was not the custom for a brave
man-at-arms to look to being unhorsed; but times are changed."

"Ay, that they are, Master Penrose, for in our day we do not give
ourselves over the moment we are down, and lie closed up in our shells
like great land tortoises turned on their backs, waiting till some one
is good enough to find his way through our shell with the
_misericorde_."

"Peace, peace, Gaston," said the Knight. "If we acquit ourselves as
well as our fathers, we shall have little to be ashamed of. What think
you of this man's gear?"

"That I could pick up a better suit for half the price at old Battista,
the Lombard's at Bordeaux; nevertheless, since young Eustace would be
the show of the camp if he appeared there provided in Ralph's fashion,
it may be as well to see whether there be any reasonableness in this
old knave."

Before the question was decided, the trampling of horses was heard, and
there rode into the court an elderly man, whose dress and bearing
showed him to be of consideration, accompanied by a youth of eighteen
or nineteen, and attended by two servants. Sir Reginald and his
brother immediately stepped forward to receive them.

"Sir Philip Ashton," said the former, "how is it with you? This is
friendly in you to come and bid us farewell."

"I grieve that it should be farewell, Sir Reginald," said the old
Knight, dismounting whilst Eustace held his stirrup; "our country can
ill spare such men as you. Thanks, my young friend Eustace. See,
Leonard, what good training will do for an Esquire; Eustace has already
caught that air and courteous demeanour that cannot be learnt here
among us poor Knights of Somerset."

This was to his s