t his equal, found him raised a thousand-fold in
her estimation by the events of the day, and could not bear to think of
disappointing the hopes which had lighted up that bright eye and
animated that whole face.

Then, too, why by her act completely ruin her brother? The thoughts
flashed through her mind in rapid succession, and she did not rise with
much reluctance when called to meet the Princess, though longing for
more time, which after all would but have enabled her to harass herself
more.

"Well, my gentle Agnes," said the Princess, "what say you? Come you
back to the court, where my boys are wearing for their playfellow?
Hasten, then sweet maiden, for I promised little Edward to bring you
back, and I know not how to face his wrath if you come not."

Agnes, still almost dreaming, offered no opposition, but allowed her
dress to be arranged, took leave of the abbess and her nuns, and
shortly found herself, she scarcely knew how, mounted on her palfrey in
the Princess's train, with Sir Eustace Lynwood at her side.

And old Ralph Penrose was one of the happiest of mankind, when he
beheld his pupil return the first Knight in the county--the honoured of
the Prince.

For the next seven years the Clarenham vassals rejoiced in the gentle,
noble, and firm rule of their new Lord and Lady; yet it was remarked,
with some surprise, that the title of Baron of Clarenham was dropped,
and that Sir Eustace and Dame Agnes Lynwood, instead of living at their
principal Castle, took up their abode at a small manor which had
descended to the lady from her mother, while the Castle was placed
under the charge of Gaston d'Aubricour, beneath whose care the
fortifications assumed a more modern character, and the garrison learnt
the newest fashions of handling their weapons.

At the end of that time Sir Eustace and his Lady travelled to the
court, where, alas! of all the royal party who had rejoiced at their
marriage, they found only the Young King Richard II. and his mother,
the Princess Joanna, once the Fair Maid of Kent, but now sadly aged by
time and sorrow, who received kindly, though tearfully, those who
reminded her of those last bright days of her life at Bordeaux, and
readily promised to forward their request at the council, "where,
alas!" she said, shaking her head, "Lord Henry of Lancaster, now Earl
of Bolingbroke, too often loved to oppose her and her son."

No one at the council could refuse, thought the amazement of all