we of Montfort, and it is such a war that
many a great leader, such as Sir Walter Manny, has first earned his name
there. Of late the war has gone against us, and the bloody hands of the
Rohans, of Gaptooth Beaumanoir, of Oliver the Flesher and others have
been heavy upon our people. The last tidings have been of disaster,
and the King's soul is dark with wrath for that his friend and comrade
Gilles de St. Pol has been done to death in the Castle of La Brohiniere.
He will send succors to the country, and we go at their head. How like
you that, Nigel?"

"My honored lord, what could I ask for better?"

"Then have your harness ready, for we start within the week. Our path
by land is blocked by the French, and we go by sea. This night the King
gives a banquet ere he returns to England, and your place is behind my
chair. Be in my chamber that you may help me to dress, and so we will to
the hall together."

With satin and with samite, with velvet and with fur, the noble Chandos
was dressed for the King's feast, and Nigel too had donned his best silk
jupon, faced with the five scarlet roses, that he might wait upon him.
In the great hall of Calais Castle the tables were set, a high table for
the lords, a second one for the less distinguished knights, and a third
at which the squires might feast when their masters were seated.

Never had Nigel in his simple life at Tilford pictured a scene of such
pomp and wondrous luxury. The grim gray walls were covered from ceiling
to floor with priceless tapestry of Arras, where hart, hounds and
huntsmen circled the great hall with one long living image of the chase.
Over the principal table drooped a line of banners, and beneath them
rows of emblazoned shields upon the wall carried the arms of the high
noblemen who sat beneath. The red light of cressets and of torches
burned upon the badges of the great captains of England. The lions and
lilies shone over the high dorseret chair in the center, and the same
august device marked with the cadency label indicated the seat of the
Prince, while glowing to right and to left were the long lines of noble
insignia, honored in peace and terrible in war. There shone the gold
and sable of Manny, the engrailed cross of Suffolk, the red chevron of
Stafford, the scarlet and gold of Audley, the blue lion rampant of
the Percies, the silver swallows of Arundel, the red roebuck of the
Montacutes, the star of the de Veres, the silver scallops of Russell,
t