for booty. Nigel, leaning on his sword by the gateway,
saw Aylward totter past, a huge bundle under each arm, another slung
over his back and a smaller packet hanging from his mouth. He dropped it
for a moment as he passed his young master.

"By these ten finger-bones! I am right glad that I came to the war, and
no man could ask for a more goodly life," said he. "I have a present
here for every girl in Tilford, and my father need never fear the frown
of the sacrist of Waverley again. But how of you, Squire Loring? It
standeth not aright that we should gather the harvest whilst you, who
sowed it, go forth empty-handed. Come, gentle sir, take these things
that I have gathered, and I will go back and find more."

But Nigel smiled and shook his head. "You have gained what your heart
desired, and perchance I have done so also," said he.

An instant later Knolles strode up to him with outstretched hand. "I ask
your pardon, Nigel," said he. "I have spoken too hotly in my wrath."

"Nay, fair sir, I was at fault."

"If we stand here now within this castle, it is to you that I owe it.
The King shall know of it, and Chandos also. Can I do aught else, Nigel,
to prove to you the high esteem in which I hold you?"

The Squire flushed with pleasure. "Do you send a messenger home to
England, fair sir, with news of these doings?"

"Surely, I must do so. But do not tell me, Nigel, that you would be that
messenger. Ask me some other favor, for indeed I cannot let you go."

"Now God forbid!" cried Nigel. "By Saint Paul! I would not be so caitiff
and so thrall as to leave you, when some small deed might still be done.
But I would fain send a message by your messenger."

"To whom?"

"It is to the Lady Mary, daughter of old Sir John Buttesthorn who dwells
near Guildford."

"But you will write the message, Nigel. Such greetings as a cavalier
sends to his lady-love should be under seal."

"Nay, he can carry my message by word of mouth."

"Then I shall tell him for he goes this morning. What message, then,
shall he say to the lady?"

"He will give her my very humble greeting, and he will say to her that
for the second time Saint Catharine has been our friend."

XXII. HOW ROBERT OF BEAUMANOIR CAME TO PLOERMEL

Sir Robert Knolles and his men passed onward that day, looking back many
a time to see the two dark columns of smoke, one thicker and one more
slender, which arose from the castle and from the fort of La Brohiniere.