the value of his
right-hand counsellor."

"Nay, Sir Philip," said Sir Reginald, laughing, "that is rather too
fine a term for a rough soldier, who never was called into counsel at
all, except for the arraying a battle. It would take far sharper wits
than mine, or, indeed, I suspect, than any that we have at Bordeaux, to
meet the wiles of Charles of France. No, unless the Royal Banner be
abroad in the field, you may look to see me here before another year is
out."

"I shall hope it may be otherwise, for my boy's sake," said Sir Philip.
"But be that as it may, his fame will be secured by his going forth for
the first time with such a leader as yourself. The example and
friendship of your brother will also be of the utmost service. Your
chief Squire too--so perfect in all chivalrous training, and a
foreigner--who better could be found to train a poor Somersetshire
clown for the Prince's Gascon court?"

"Why, for that matter," interrupted Sir Reginald, whose patience would
seldom serve his to the end of one of his neighbour's harangues, "it
may be honest to tell you that though Gaston is a kindly-tempered
fellow, and of right knightly bearing, his life has been none of the
most steady. I took up with him a couple of years since, when poor old
Humfrey Harwood was slain at Auray, and I knew not where to turn for a
Squire. Save for a few wild freaks now and then, he has done right
well, though I sometimes marvelled at his choosing to endure my strict
household. He obeys my orders, and has made himself well liked by the
men, and I willingly trust Eustace with him, since the boy is of a
grave clerkly sort of turn, and under my own eye; but it is for you to
do as you will with your son."

"Is he of honourable birth?" asked Sir Philip.

"At least he bears coat armour," answered Reginald. "His shield is
_gules_, a wolf _passant_, _or_, and I have heard strange tales of his
father, Beranger d'Aubricour, the Black Wolf of the Pyrenees, as he was
called, one of the robber noblesse of the Navarrese border; but I have
little time for such matters, and they do not dwell in my mind. If I
find a man does his duty in my service, I care not whence he comes, nor
what his forefathers may have been. I listen to no such idle tales; but
I thought it best to warn you that I answer not for all the comrades
your son may find in my troop."

"Many thanks, noble Sir Reginald; under such care as yours he cannot
fail to prosper; I am se