we need not inquire too closely. You cannot expect the virtues of
an archbishop, and the capacity of a horse boy. If he can find a
man embracing the qualities of both, by all means let your son
engage him; but as he will require him to be a good cook, and a
good groom, and he will not require religious instruction from him,
the former points are those on which I should advise him to lay
most stress.

"And now, Madame Vaillant, will you let me lead you into the next
room where, as my daughter has for some time been trying to make me
understand, a meal is ready? And I doubt not that you are also
ready; for truly those who travel by sea are seldom able to enjoy
food, save when they are much accustomed to voyaging. Though they
tell me that, after a time, even those with the most delicate
stomachs recover their appetites, and are able to enjoy the rough
fare they get on board a ship."

After the meal was over, the merchant took Philip to the stables,
where the new purchases had been put up. The men were not there,
but the ostler brought out Philip's horse, with which he was
delighted.

"He will not tire under his double load," the merchant said; "and
with only your weight upon him, a foeman would be well mounted,
indeed, to overtake you."

"I would rather that you put it, Monsieur Bertram, that a foeman
needs be well mounted to escape me."

"Well, I hope it will be that way," his host replied, smiling. "But
in fighting such as we have here, there are constant changes. The
party that is pursued one day is the pursuer a week later; and of
the two, you know, speed is of much more importance in flight than
in pursuit. If you cannot overtake a foe, well, he gets away, and
you may have better fortune next time; but if you can't get away
from a foe, the chances are you may never have another opportunity
of doing so."

"Perhaps you are right. In fact, now I think of it, I am sure you
are; though I hope it will not often happen that we shall have to
depend for safety on the speed of our horses. At any rate, I am
delighted with him, Monsieur Bertram; and I thank you greatly for
procuring so fine an animal for me. If the four men turn out to be
as good, of their kind, as the horse, I shall be well set up,
indeed."

Early the next morning the four men came round to the merchant's,
and Philip went down with him into the entry hall where they were.
He was well satisfied with their appearance. They were stout
fellows, from twe