ilitary charge, was informed that an old man and a boy so earnestly
entreated speech with him, that they had even moved the iron heart of
Hugo de l'Orme, the earl's esquire, who himself craved audience for
them.

"They must bear some marvellous charm about them, an they have worked
upon thee, De l'Orme," said his master, smiling. "In good sooth, let
them enter."

Yet there was nothing very striking in their appearance when they came.
The old man indeed was of a tall, almost majestic figure, and it was
only the snowy whiteness of his hair and flowing beard that betrayed his
age, for his eye was still bright, his form unbent. He was attired as a
minstrel, his viol slung across his breast, a garb which obtained for
its possessor free entrance alike into camp and castle, hall and bower,
to all parties, to all lands, friendly or hostile, as it might be. His
companion was a slight boy, seemingly little more than thirteen or
fourteen, with small, exquisitely delicate features; his complexion
either dark or sunburnt; his eyes were bent down, and their long, very
dark lashes rested on his cheek, but when raised, their beautiful blue
seemed so little in accordance with the brunette skin, that the sun
might be deemed more at fault than Nature; his hair, of the darkest
brown, clustered closely round his throat in short thick curls; his garb
was that of a page, but more rude than the general habiliments of those
usually petted members of noble establishments, and favored both
Hereford and Lancaster's belief that he was either the son or grandson
of his companion.

"Ye are welcome, fair sirs," was the elder earl's kindly salutation,
when his esquire had retired. "Who and what are ye, and what crave ye
with me?"

"We are Scotsmen, an it so please you, noble lords," replied the old
man; "followers and retainers of the house of Bruce, more particularly
of him so lately fallen into your power."

"Then, by mine honor, my good friends, ye had done wiser to benefit by
the liberty I promised and gave to those of his followers who escaped
this devastating siege. Wherefore are ye here?"

"In the name of this poor child, to beseech a boon, my noble lord; for
me, my calling permitteth my going where I list, unquestioned,
unrestrained, and if I ask permission to abide with ye, Scotsman and
follower of the Bruce as I am, I know ye will not say me nay."

"I would not, an ye besought such a boon, old man," answered the earl;
"yet I would ad