r Reginald. I always said that no good would come of these fashions!"

In process of time, Eustace was disencumbered of his heavy armour; but
when he stood before him in his plain dress of chamois leather, old
Ralph shook his head, disappointed that he had not attained the height
or the breadth of the stalwart figures of his father and brother, but
was still slight and delicate looking. The golden spurs and the sword
of Du Guesclin, however, rejoiced the old man's heart, and touching
them almost reverentially, he placed the large arm-chair at the head of
the table, and began eagerly to invite him to eat.

Eustace was too sorrowful and too anxious to be inclined for food, and
long before his followers had finished their meal, he turned from the
table, and asked for an account of what had befallen in his absence;
for there was at that time no more idea of privacy in conversation than
such as was afforded by the comparative seclusion of the party round
the hearth, consisting of the Knight, his arm around his little nephew,
who was leaning fondly against him; of Father Cyril, of Gaston, and old
Ralph, in his wonted nook, his elbow on his knee, and his chin on his
hand, feasting his eyes with the features of his beloved pupil. In
answer to the query, "Who is the enemy you fear?" there was but one
answer, given in different tones, "The Lord de Clarenham!"

"Ha!" cried Eustace, "it was justly then that your father, Arthur, bade
me beware of him when he committed you to my charge on the battle-field
of Navaretta."

"Did he so?" exclaimed Father Cyril. "Did he commit the boy to your
guardianship? Formally and before witnesses?"

"I can testify to it, good Father," said Gaston. "Ay! and you, Ingram,
must have been within hearing--to say nothing of Du Guesclin."

"And Leonard Ashton," said Ingram.

"It is well," said Father Cyril; "he will be here to-morrow to be
confronted with Clarenham. It is the personal wardship that is of
chief importance, and dwelt most on my Lady's mind."

"Clarenham lays claim then to the guardianship?" asked Eustace.

Father Cyril proceeded with a narrative, the substance of which was as
follows:--Simon de Clarenham, as has been mentioned, had obtained from
King Edward, in the days of the power of Isabel and Mortimer, a grant
of the manor of Lynwood, but on the fall of the wicked Queen, the
rightful owner had been reinstated, without, however, any formal
revocation of the unjust grant. K