ble one, but he sate
with his back to the hall; and this night, as soon as he entered the
hall, and while the grace was sung, he searched with his eyes up and
down the great tables, but he could not see her whom he desired to
see, and the joy died out of his heart. Now though the Lords and
Knights of the castle honoured Paul because he was honoured by the
Duke, they had little ease with him; so to-night, when Paul took his
place, a Knight that sate next him, a shrewd and somewhat malicious
man, who loved the talk of the Court, and turned all things into a
jest, said, "How now, Sir Paul? You entered to-night full of joy; but
now you are like one that had expected to see a welcome guest and saw
him not." Then Paul was vexed that his thoughts should be so easily
read, and said with a forced smile, "Nay, Sir Edwin, we musical men
are the slaves of our moods; there would be no music else; we have not
the bold and stubborn hearts of warriors born." And at this there was
a smile, for Sir Edwin was not held to be foremost in warlike
exercise. But having thus said, Paul never dared turn his head. And
the banquet seemed a tedious and hateful thing to him.

But at last it wore to an end, and healths had been drunk, and grace
was sung; and then they withdrew to the Presence Chamber, where the
Duke and Duchess sate upon chairs of state under a canopy, and the
guests sate down on seats and benches. And presently the Duke sent
courteous word to Paul that if he would sing they would gladly hear
him. So Paul rose in his place and made obeisance, and then moved to a
dais which was set at the end of the chamber; and a page brought him
his lute. But Paul first made a signal to the musicians who were set
aloft in a gallery, and they played a low descant; and Paul sang them
a war-song with all his might, his voice ringing through the room.
Then, as the voice made an end, there was a short silence, such as
those who have sung or spoken from a full heart best love to hear--for
each such moment of silence is like a rich jewel of praise--and then a
loud cry of applause, which was hushed in a moment because of the
presence of the Duke.

Then Paul made a bow, and stood carelessly regarding the crowd; for
from long use he felt no uneasiness to stand before many eyes; and
just as he fell to touching his lute, his eye fell on a group in a
corner; the Lady Beckwith sate there, and beside her Margaret; behind
whom sate a young Knight, Sir Richard de