edric, in
a marked tone; "are you not tempted to take the lance?"

"I shall tilt to-morrow," answered Athelstane, "in the
_melee_; it is not worth while for me to arm myself to-day."

Two things displeased Cedric in this speech. It contained 20
the Norman word _melee_ (to express the general
conflict), and it evinced some indifference to the honor of
the country; but it was spoken by Athelstane, whom he
held in such profound respect that he would not trust himself
to canvass his motives or his foibles. Moreover, he 25
had no time to make any remark, for Wamba thrust in his
word, observing, "It was better, though scarce easier, to be
the best man among a hundred than the best man of
two."

Athelstane took the observation as a serious compliment; 30
but Cedric, who better understood the jester's meaning,
darted at him a severe and menacing look; and lucky it
was for Wamba, perhaps, that the time and place prevented
his receiving, notwithstanding his place and service, more
sensible marks of his master's resentment.

The pause in the tournament was still uninterrupted,
excepting by the voices of the heralds exclaiming--"Love 5
of ladies, splintering of lances! Stand forth, gallant knights,
fair eyes look upon your deeds!"

The music also of the challengers breathed from time to
time wild bursts expressive of triumph or defiance, while
the clowns grudged a holiday which seemed to pass away 10
in inactivity; and old knights and nobles lamented in
whispers the decay of martial spirit, spoke of the triumphs
of their younger days, but agreed that the land did not now
supply dames of such transcendent beauty as had animated
the justs of former times. 15

Prince John began to talk to his attendants about making
ready the banquet, and the necessity of adjudging the
prize to Brian de Bois-Guilbert who had, with a single
spear, overthrown two knights and foiled a third.

At length, as the Saracenic music of the challengers concluded 20
one of those high and long flourishes with which
they had broken the silence of the lists, it was answered
by a solitary trumpet, which breathed a note of defiance
from the northern extremity. All eyes were turned to see
the new champion which these sounds announced, and no 25
sooner wer