to knighthood, humphrey,

you had been a banneret at the least," observed another, amid a

burst of laughter.

"and if you could drink yourself in, old leather-head, you had

been first baron of the realm," cried the aggrieved humphrey.

"but how of england, my lads of loring?"

"i take it," said ford, "that it is much as it was when you were

there last, save that perchance there is a little less noise

there."

"and why less noise, young solomon?"

"ah, that is for your wit to discover."

"pardieu! here is a paladin come over, with the hampshire mud

still sticking to his shoes. he means that the noise is less for

our being out of the country."

"they are very quick in these parts," said ford, turning to

alleyne.

"how are we to take this, sir?" asked the ruffling squire.

"you may take it as it comes," said ford carelessly.

"here is pertness!" cried the other.

"sir, i honor your truthfulness," said ford.

"stint it, humphrey," said the tall squire, with a burst of

laughter. "you will have little credit from this gentleman, i

perceive. tongues are sharp in hampshire, sir."

"and swords?"

"hum! we may prove that. in two days' time is the vepres du

tournoi, when we may see if your lance is as quick as your wit."

"all very well, roger harcomb," cried a burly, bullnecked young

man, whose square shoulders and massive limbs told of exceptional

personal strength. "you pass too lightly over the matter. we

are not to be so easily overcrowed. the lord loring hath given

his proofs; but we know nothing of his squires, save that one of

them hath a railing tongue. and how of you, young sir?" bringing

his heavy hand down on alleyne's shoulder.

"and what of me, young sir?"

"ma foi! this is my lady's page come over. your cheek will be

browner and your hand harder ere you see your mother again."

"if my hand is not hard, it is ready."

"ready? ready for what? for the hem of my lady's train?"

"ready to chastise insolence, sir," cried alleyne with hashing

eyes.

"sweet little coz!" answered the burly squire. "such a dainty

color! such a mellow voice! eyes of a bashful maid, and hair

like a three years' babe! voila!" he passed his thick fingers

roughly through the youth's crisp golden curls.

"you seek to force a quarrel, sir," said the young man, white

with anger.

"and what then?"

"why, you do it like a country boor, and not like a gentle

squire. hast been ill bred and as ill taught. i serve a master

who could show you how such things should he done."

"and how would he do it, o pink of squires?"

"he would neither be loud nor would he be unmannerly, but rather

more gentle than is his wont. he would say, 'sir, i should take

it as an honor to do some small deed of arms against you, not for

mine own glory or advancement, but rather for the fame of my lady

and for the upholding of chivalry.' then he would draw his

glove, thus, and throw it on the ground; or, if he had cause to

think that he had to deal with a churl, he might throw it in his

face--as i do now!"

a buzz of excitement went up from the knot of squires as alleyne,

his gentle nature turned by this causeless attack into fiery

resolution, dashed his glove with all his strength into the

sneering face of his antagonist. from all parts of the hall

squires and pages came running, until a dense, swaying crowd

surrounded the disputants.

"your life for this!" said the bully, with a face which was

distorted with rage.

"if you can take it," returned alleyne.

"good lad!" whispered ford. "stick to it close as wax."

"i shall see justice," cried newbury, sir oliver's silent

attendant.

"you brought it upon yourself, john tranter," said the tall

squire, who had been addressed as roger harcomb. "you must ever

plague the new-comers. but it were shame if this went further.

the lad hath shown a proper spirit."

"but a blow! a blow!" cried several of the older squires. "there

must be a finish to this."

"nay; tranter first laid hand upon his head," said harcomb. "how

say you, tranter? the matter may rest where it stands?"

"my name is known in these parts," said tranter, proudly, "i can

let pass what might leave a stain upon another. let him pick up

his glove and say that he has done amiss."

"i would see him in the claws of the devil first," whispered

ford.

"you hear, young sir?" said the peacemaker. "our friend will

overlook the matter if you do but say that you have acted in heat

and haste."

"i cannot say that," answered alleyne.

"it is our custom, young sir, when new squires come amongst us

from england, to test them in some such way. bethink you that if

a man have a destrier or a new lance he will ever try it in time

of peace, lest in days of need it may fail him. how much more

then is it p