und."

Eustace laughed heartily at this report, and assured his friend that,
though he had heard his brother often give his Squire in jest his _nom
de guerre_ of _Gaston le Maure_, yet d'Aubricour was a gallant
gentleman of Gascony. But still Leonard was not satisfied. "Had ever
man born in Christian land such flashing black eyes and white teeth?
And is not he horribly fierce and strict?"

"Never was man of kinder heart and blither temper."

"Then you think that he will not be sharp with us? 'More straight in
your saddle!' 'lance lower!' 'head higher;' that is what has been
ringing in my ears from morning till night of late, sometimes enforced
by a sharp blow on the shoulders. Is it not so with you?"

"Oh, old Penrose took all that trouble off their hands long ago. Gaston
is the gentlest of tutors compared with him."

"I hope so!" sighed Leonard; "my very bones ache with the tutoring I
get from my father at home. And, Eustace, resolve me this--"

"Hush, do not you see that Father Cyril is about to pronounce the
Grace--. There--now must I go and serve your father with the
grace-cup, but I will be with you anon."

Leonard put his elbow on the table, mumbling to himself, "And these of
Eustace's be the courtly manners my father would have me learn; they
cost a great deal too much trouble!"

The meal over, Eustace took Leonard into the court to visit the horses
and inspect the new armour. They were joined by Gaston, who took upon
himself to reply to the question which Leonard wished to have resolved,
namely, what they were to do in Castile, by persuading him to believe
that Enrique of Trastamare was a giant twenty feet high, who rode a
griffin of proportionate dimensions, and led an army whose heads grew
under their shoulders.

In the meantime, Sir Philip Ashton was, with many polite speeches,
entering upon the business of his visit, which was to request Sir
Reginald to admit his son into his train as an Esquire. The Knight of
Lynwood, though not very desirous of this addition to his followers,
could not well refuse him, in consideration of the alliance which had
long subsisted between the two houses; but he mentioned his own purpose
of quitting the Prince's court as soon as the present expedition should
be concluded.

"That," said Sir Philip, softly, "will scarce be likely. Such Knights
as Sir Reginald Lynwood are not so easily allowed to hide themselves in
obscurity. The Prince of Wales knows too well