begin?" said his lordship impatiently. "Edward,
I shall look to thee for a good report of thy charge."

"It shall be well, sir," returned Edward Devereaux bowing profoundly. The
chamberlain left the two, and the boy faced the girl. "So," he said, "we
are come to learn manners, are we? By my faith, 'tis time. Thou dost
discover too much heat, Master Stafford, and that, thou shouldst know, is
not permitted at court. Take that for thy first lesson."

"I will take naught for my lesson from thee," said Francis quickly. "Who
art thou to teach manners to me?"

"Hast never heard of Edward Devereaux?" queried the lad. "Much hast thou
missed for he is before you," and he bowed mockingly. "Know, Francis
Stafford, that thou and I have a feud of long standing. Hast heard thy
father speak of Sir Thomas Devereaux of Kent? I am his son, cousin german
to Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. Surely, even if thou dost reside far
from the court, thou dost know that there hath always been enmity between
the Devereaux and the Staffords?"

"Ay! I know of it," assented Francis. "And that is why thou didst claim,
the deer which was slain by my hand in the park?"

"So thou dost still claim the deer? Mark you, Francis Stafford! We of the
court think it not honorable to claim that which doth not belong to us.
Thou hadst no shadow of hand in the deed. It lies between thy sister and
me. Yet still thou sayst,--'I slew it.' Hark ye! if ye so choose we can
settle the matter in the great park some eventide. But for the sake of
truth say no more that you slew it. It is between thy sister and
myself."

"My sister," murmured Francis, and then remembering herself: "My sister
be it."

"And thou and I will meet and decide the business once for all," went on
Devereaux. "Come! what say you to the third night from this? There are
duties that forbid the undertaking sooner."

"But, but," stammered Francis. "I----"

"Ah! thou dost fear." Edward Devereaux looked his scorn. "We will drop
the matter. But thou must fight, or concede that I slew the deer."

"I fear nothing," cried the girl. "I will meet thee when and where thou
wilt."

"Then on the third night from this, thou and I will meet in the park
close by the wicket of the western gate. I will show thee this day where
it lieth. And now we must to duty."

CHAPTER XIV

A STRANGE DUEL

Now, Francis Stafford knew but little of the noble art of fencing. Once
or twice her father had given her the