e dagger and the jewel, and
the Duke looked at them in silence for awhile, shading his eyes. And
then he praised the Lord Marmaduke very nobly, saying that he owed his
life to him. And then he told Robert that he would be true to his
word, and promote him to honour; but he said that first he must abide
with him many days, and go in and out with his knights, and learn the
Spanish tongue and the Spanish way of life; so Robert abode with him
in great content, and was treated with honour by all, but especially
by the Duke, who often sent for him and spoke much of former days.

Then at last there came a day when the Duke sent for him and in the
presence of all his lords told them the story and passed the crown and
the dagger and the jewel from hand to hand; and the lords eyed the
stone curiously and handled it tenderly; and then the Duke said that
the knight who could, for the sake of honour, restore a jewel that
could buy a county--there was not the like of it in the world, save in
the Emperor's crown--was a true knight indeed; and therefore he made
Robert Lord of the Marches, put the crown on his head, and a purple
robe with a cape of miniver on his shoulders, and commanded that he
should be used by all as if of royal birth.

The greatness of his reward was a surprise to Robert, and he had it in
his heart to tell the Duke the truth. But the lords passed before him
and did obeisance, and he put the good hour aside.

Very soon Robert set out for the Castle of the Marches; and he found
it a marvellous house, fit for a king, with wide lands. And there he
abode for several years, and did worthily; for he was an excellent
knight, and a prudent general; moreover he was just and kind; and the
people feared and obeyed his rule, and lived in peace, though none
loved Robert; but he made the land prosperous and great, and cleared
it of robbers, and raised a mighty revenue for the Duke, who praised
him and made him great presents.

One day he heard that the Duke was ill; the next a courier came in
haste to summon him to the Duke's presence; he wondered at this; but
went with a great retinue. He found the Duke feeble and bent, but with
a bright eye; he kissed Robert, like a brother prince, and as they
sate alone he opened his heart to him and told him that he had done
worthily; he had none of his kin, or none fit to hold his dukedom
after him; but that all he desired was that his people should be well
ruled, and that he had determin