Ha! I see the old Free Companions are here with
Sir Hugh Calverly! Why, 'twas but the other day they were starting to
set this very Don Enrique on the throne as blithely as they now go to
drive him from his."

While Gaston spoke, the sound of horses' feet approached rapidly from
another quarter, and a small party came in sight, the foremost of whom
checked his bridle, as, at Reginald's signal, his Lances halted and
drew respectfully aside. He was a man about thirty-six years of age,
and looking even younger, from the remarkable fairness and delicacy of
his complexion. The perfect regularity of his noble features, together
with the commanding, yet gentle expression of his clear light blue
eyes, would, even without the white ostrich feather in his black velvet
cap, have enabled Eustace to recognize in him the flower of chivalry,
Edward, Prince of Wales.

"Welcome, my trusty Reginald!" exclaimed he. "I knew that the Lances
of Lynwood would not be absent where knightly work is to be done. Is
my brother John arrived?"

"Yes, my Lord," replied Reginald; "I parted from him but now as he rode
to the castle, while I came to seek where to bestow my knaves."

"I know you of old for a prudent man," said the Prince, smiling; "the
Provost Marshal hath no acquaintance with that gallant little band.
Methinks I see there a fair face like enough to yours to belong to
another loyal Lynwood."

"I could wish it were a little browner and more manly, my Lord," said
Reginald. "It is my brother Eustace, who has been suffered (I take
shame to myself for it) to tarry at home as my Lady's page, till he
looks as white as my Lady herself."

"We will soon find a cure for that in the sun of Castile," said Edward.
"You are well provided with Squires. The men of Somerset know where
good training is to be found for their sons."

"This, my Lord, is the son of Sir Philip Ashton, a loyal Knight of our
country."

"He is welcome," said the Prince. "We have work for all. Let me see
you this evening at supper in my tent."

"Well, Eustace, what sayest thou?" said Gaston, as the Prince rode on.

"A Prince to dream of, a Prince for whom to give a thousand lives!"
said Eustace.

"And that was the Prince of Wales!" said Leonard. "Why, he spoke just
like any other man."

The two tents of the Lances of Lynwood having been erected, and all
arrangements made, the Knights and Squires set out for the Prince's
pavilion, the white curtains of whi