that both floor and

ceiling were of the richest oak, the latter spanned by twelve

arching beams, which were adorned at either end by the lilies and

the lions of the royal arms. on the further side was a small

door, on each side of which stood men-at-arms. from time to time

an elderly man in black with rounded shoulders and a long white

wand in his hand came softly forth from this inner room, and

beckoned to one or other of the company, who doffed cap and

followed him.

the two knights were deep in talk, when alleyne became aware of a

remarkable individual who was walking round the room in their

direction. as he passed each knot of cavaliers every head turned

to look after him, and it was evident, from the bows and

respectful salutations on all sides, that the interest which he

excited was not due merely to his strange personal appearance.

he was tall and straight as a lance, though of a great age, for

his hair, which curled from under his velvet cap of maintenance,

was as white as the new-fallen snow. yet, from the swing of his

stride and the spring of his step, it was clear that he had not

yet lost the fire and activity of his youth. his fierce hawk-

like face was clean shaven like that of a priest, save for a long

thin wisp of white moustache which drooped down half way to his

shoulder. that he had been handsome might be easily judged from

his high aquiline nose and clear-cut chin; but his features had

been so distorted by the seams and scars of old wounds, and by

the loss of one eye which had been torn from the socket, that

there was little left to remind one of the dashing young knight

who had been fifty years ago the fairest as well as the boldest

of the english chivalry. yet what knight was there in that hall

of st. andrews who would not have gladly laid down youth, beauty,

and all that he possessed to win the fame of this man? for who

could be named with chandos, the stainless knight, the wise

councillor, the valiant warrior, the hero of crecy, of

winchelsea, of poictiers, of auray, and of as many other battles

as there were years to his life?

"ha, my little heart of gold!" he cried, darting forward suddenly

and throwing his arms round sir nigel. "i heard that you were

here and have been seeking you."

"my fair and dear lord," said the knight, returning the warrior's

embrace, "i have indeed come back to you, for where else shall i

go that i may learn to be a gentle and a hardy knight?"

"by my troth!" said chandos with a smile, "it is very fitting

that we should be companions, nigel, for since you have tied up

one of your eyes, and i have had the mischance to lose one of

mine, we have but a pair between us. ah, sir oliver! you were on

the blind side of me and i saw you not. a wise woman hath made

prophecy that this blind side will one day be the death of me.

we shall go in to the prince anon; but in truth he hath much upon

his hands, for what with pedro, and the king of majorca, and the

king of navarre, who is no two days of the same mind, and the

gascon barons who are all chaffering for terms like so many

hucksters, he hath an uneasy part to play. but how left you the

lady loring?"

"she was well, my fair lord, and sent her service and greetings

to you."

"i am ever her knight and slave. and your journey, i trust that

it was pleasant?"

"as heart could wish. we had sight of two rover galleys, and

even came to have some slight bickering with them."

"ever in luck's way, nigel!" quoth sir john. "we must hear the

tale anon. but i deem it best that ye should leave your squires

and come with me, for, howsoe'er pressed the prince may be, i am

very sure that he would be loth to keep two old comrades-in-arms

upon the further side of the door. follow close behind me, and i

will forestall old sir william, though i can scarce promise to

roll forth your style and rank as is his wont." so saying, he led

the way to the inner chamber, the two companions treading close

at his heels, and nodding to right and left as they caught sight

of familiar faces among the crowd.

chapter xix

how there was stir at the abbey of st. andrews.

the prince's reception-room, although of no great size, was

fitted up with all the state and luxury which the fame and power

of its owner demanded. a high dais at the further end was roofed

in by a broad canopy of scarlet velvet spangled with silver

fleurs-de-lis, and supported at either corner by silver rods.

this was approached by four steps carpeted with the same

material, while all round were scattered rich cushions, oriental

mats and costly rugs of fur. the choicest tapestries which the

looms of arras could furnish draped the walls, whereon the

battles of judas maccabaeus were set forth, with the jewish

warriors in plate of proof, with crest and lance and banderole,

as the nai