ped upon him, aiming a thrust
at his neck. By a quick step to the side Aymer avoided the rush, and
as the other lurched by he struck him a swinging right arm blow behind
the ear that sent him plunging among the rushes on the floor, while the
dagger rolled across to the farther wall.

[Illustration: He struck him a swinging right arm blow that sent him
plunging among the rushes on the floor.]

"Bravo! Bravo!" cried the two men-at-arms. "Shall we throw him into
the street, my lord?"

He waved them back; and the Knight, who had been slightly dazed,
struggled to his feet and looked about him. Then seeing De Lacy, who
had resumed his calmly contemptuous attitude, he grasped the situation
and a wave of red anger crossed his face. But he was not of the
blustering sort, it seemed, and drawing out a handkerchief he proceeded
carefully to fleck the dirt and dust from his doublet and hose. When
he had removed the last speck, he bowed low.

"Shall we settle this matter with swords or daggers, my lord?" he said,
in French.

"I think too much of my good weapons to soil them on one who assuredly
has stolen the golden spurs he wears," De Lacy replied scornfully.

"My name is Sir Philebert de Shaunde and my escutcheon quite as ancient
as your own," with another bow.

"It is a pity, then, it has fallen upon one who needs more than his own
word to sustain the claim."

De Shaunde's face went red again and his voice trembled and was very
soft. "His Grace of Buckingham will be my voucher, though it will
misdemean him much as against one who has a tymbestere for mistress and
is a coward, as well."

De Lacy glanced quickly around the room:

"She is no longer here to feel your insults," he said, "but it is her
due that I refute them. I never saw the maid until I saved her from
your foul caress. As for my cowardice, good sir, I but protect my
knighthood against a caitiff whose very touch is dark pollution."

"I shall proclaim your refusal to accept my defiance before King and
Court and let them judge of the quarrel."

"So be it--you will find me known there," Aymer replied curtly; and
sauntering back to his table he called for another bottle of wine.

De Shaunde, however, stayed only long enough to give some order to the
landlord, who received it with rather scant courtesy; then with showy
indifference, slapping his gauntlets against his leg as he walked, he
left the room by the street door just as Giles Dauvrey entered.