on, who, with a short abrupt reply to the good-natured
greeting of Sir Reginald, had scrambled down from his saddle, and stood
fixing his large gray eyes upon Gaston, whose tall active figure and
lively dark countenance seemed to afford him an inexhaustible subject
of study. The Squire was presented by name to Sir Philip, received a
polite compliment, and replying with a bow, turned to the youth with
the ready courtesy of one willing to relieve the shyness of an awkward
stranger. "We were but now discussing the merit between damasked steel
and chain mail, what opinion do you bring to aid us?" A renewed stare,
an inarticulate muttering, and Master Leonard turned away and almost
hid his face in the mane of his horse, whilst his father attempted to
make up for his incivility by a whole torrent of opinions, to which
Gaston listened with the outward submission due from a Squire, but with
frequent glances, accompanied by a tendency to elevate shoulder or
eyebrow, which Eustace understood full well to convey that the old
gentleman knew nothing whatever on the subject.

This concluded, Sir Philip went to pay his respects to the Lady of
Lynwood, and then, as the hour of noon had arrived, all partook of the
meal, which was served in the hall, the Squires waiting on the Knights
and the Lady before themselves sitting down to table.

It was the influence of dinner that first unchained the silent tongue
of Leonard Ashton, when he found himself seated next to his old
acquaintance, Eustace Lynwood, out of hearing of those whose presence
inspired him with shyness, and the clatter of knives and trenchers
drowning his voice.

"So your brother has let you bear sword after all. How like you the
trade? Better than poring over crabbed parchments, I trow. But guess
you why we are here to-day? My father says that I must take service
with some honourable Knight, and see somewhat of the world. He spoke
long of the Lord de Clarenham, because his favour would be well in the
county; but at last he has fixed on your brother, because he may do
somewhat for me with the Prince."

"Then you are going with us to Bordeaux?" exclaimed Eustace, eagerly.

"Ay, truly."

"Nay, but that is a right joyful hearing!" said Eustace. "Old friends
should be brethren in arms."

"But, Eustace," said young Ashton, lowering his voice to a confidential
whisper, "I like not that outlandish Squire, so tall and black. Men
say he is a Moor--a worshipper of Maho