ain was more like an act of taking possession
than that of a peaceable and formal embassage; and the newly-arrived
seneschal soon began to exercise the office of governor or castellan,
seizing the reins of government with an iron grasp. He was a square
carroty-headed personage, about the middle size, and of a ruddy aspect.
He held an office of trust under the Fitz-Eustace, and, spite of his
saucy garrulity, in which he indulged on most occasions, he was
faithful, and would have challenged and immolated any one who had dared
to question the right of the Fitz-Eustace to precedence before any other
baron of the land. Long service rendered him more intrusive than would
have been thought becoming, or even excusable in any other enjoying less
of his mistress's confidence.

"Now, my merry men all," said this authoritative personage, "a long and
a weary path have we ridden to-day; and had we not been, as it were,
lost in your savage wildernesses--where our guide, whom we forced before
us by dint of blows and hard usage, could scarce keep us in the right
track--we had been here before sunset. Thanks to this saint of yours,
whosoever he be, for we saw the watchlights at times from the chapel, as
we guessed, else had we been longer in hitting our mark, and might,
peradventure, have supped with the wolves on a haunch of venison. Now
for the stables. What! have ye no knaves hereabout to help our followers
with the beasts?"

Oliver, much troubled at this loquacious and unceremonious address,
replied with some acrimony--

"The household are in the chapel, where it had been better thou hadst
let us bide, and given the corpse a quiet watchnight--the vigils for the
dead are not ended."

"Go to, master seneschal, for of this post I do adjudge thee, and
reverence thine office in respect of mine own, but let dead men make
their own lanterns; we must have supper anyhow, and that right
speedily."

Oliver, after seeing the gate secured, sent Hugo for help, whilst he led
the way himself into the hall of this once formidable fortress. It was
high and gloomy, the fire being apparently extinguished. A step on the
floor showed where the higher table was placed, prohibiting those
beneath a certain rank from advancing upon the skirts of their
superiors; an indispensable precaution, when servants and retainers of
all sorts ate their meals with the master of the feast. Perches for
hawks, in form like unto a crutch, were placed behind his chair; f