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begin?" said his lordship impatiently. "Edward, I shall look to thee for a good report of thy charge." "It shall be well, sir," returned Edward Devereaux bowing profoundly. The chamberlain left the two, and the boy faced the girl. "So," he said, "we are come to learn manners, are we? By my faith, 'tis time. Thou dost discover too much heat, Master Stafford, and that, thou shouldst know, is not permitted at court. Take that for thy first lesson." "I will take naught for my lesson from thee," said Francis quickly. "Who art thou to teach manners to me?" "Hast never heard of Edward Devereaux?" queried the lad. "Much hast thou missed for he is before you," and he bowed mockingly. "Know, Francis Stafford, that thou and I have a feud of long standing. Hast heard thy father speak of Sir Thomas Devereaux of Kent? I am his son, cousin german to Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex. Surely, even if thou dost reside far from the court, thou dost know that there hath always been enmity between the Devereaux and the Staffords?" "Ay! I know of it," assented Francis. "And that is why thou didst claim, the deer which was slain by my hand in the park?" "So thou dost still claim the deer? Mark you, Francis Stafford! We of the court think it not honorable to claim that which doth not belong to us. Thou hadst no shadow of hand in the deed. It lies between thy sister and me. Yet still thou sayst,--'I slew it.' Hark ye! if ye so choose we can settle the matter in the great park some eventide. But for the sake of truth say no more that you slew it. It is between thy sister and myself." "My sister," murmured Francis, and then remembering herself: "My sister be it." "And thou and I will meet and decide the business once for all," went on Devereaux. "Come! what say you to the third night from this? There are duties that forbid the undertaking sooner." "But, but," stammered Francis. "I----" "Ah! thou dost fear." Edward Devereaux looked his scorn. "We will drop the matter. But thou must fight, or concede that I slew the deer." "I fear nothing," cried the girl. "I will meet thee when and where thou wilt." "Then on the third night from this, thou and I will meet in the park close by the wicket of the western gate. I will show thee this day where it lieth. And now we must to duty." CHAPTER XIV A STRANGE DUEL Now, Francis Stafford knew but little of the noble art of fencing. Once or twice her father had given her the
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