e lands of
Lynwood."

"What claim have you to his wardship, Sir Fulk?" asked Eustace, coldly,
disdaining to take notice of the latter part of this speech.

"As his feudal superior, and his nearest relation of full age," replied
Clarenham.

"There are many here who can prove that it is twenty-one years past,
since I was born on the feast of St. Eustace," replied the young
Knight. "The house of Lynwood owns no master beneath the King of
England, and the wardship of my nephew was committed to me by both his
parents. Here is a witness of the truth of my words. Holy Father, the
parchment!"

Father Cyril spread a thick roll, with heavy seals, purporting to be
the last will and testament of Dame Eleanor Lynwood, bequeathing the
wardship and marriage of her son to her beloved brother, Sir Eustace
Lynwood, Knight Banneret, and, in his absence, to the Lord Abbot of
Glastonbury, and Cyril Langton, Clerk.

"It is nought," said Clarenham, pushing it from him; "the Lady of
Lynwood had no right to make a will in this manner, since she
unlawfully detained her son from me, his sole guardian."

"The force of the will may be decided by the King's justices," said
Eustace; "but my rights are not founded on it alone. My brother, Sir
Reginald, with his last words, committed his son to my charge."

"What proof do you bring, Sir Eustace?" said Fulk. "I question not
your word, but something more is needed in points of law, and you can
scarcely expect the world to believe that Sir Reginald would commit his
only child to the guardianship of one so young, and the next heir."

"I am here to prove it, my Lord," said Gaston, eagerly. "'To your care
I commit him, Eustace,' said Sir Reginald, as he lay with his head on
his brother's breast; and methought he also added, 'Beware of
Clarenham.' Was it not so, friend Leonard?"

Leonard's reply was not readily forthcoming. His father was whispering
in his ear, whilst he knit his brow, shuffled with his feet, and
shrugged his shoulder disrespectfully in his father's face.

"Speak, Master Ashton," said Clarenham, in a cold incredulous tone, and
bending on father and son glances which were well understood. "To your
testimony, respectable and uninterested, credit must be added."

"What mean you by that, Sir Fulk de Clarenham?" cried Gaston; "for what
do you take me and my word?"

"Certain tales of you and your companions, Sir Squire," answered
Clarenham, "do not dispose me to take a Gascon