t I am glad that thou
shouldest see both sides of this matter, that thou shouldest see the
peril menacing thy brothers from thine own kinsman, who has strengthened
himself by an English alliance. It is useless to blind thine eyes to
what is coming. They tell me thou art not blind; and I come to thee,
lad, because I think well of thee, to ask if it would please thee to
strengthen thy position in thine own land and in Edward's sight by an
alliance with an English maiden of noble birth. Hast thou ever thought
of such a thing?"

Wendot's wide-open eyes gave answer enough. Lord Montacute smiled
slightly as he said:

"Ah, thou art full young for such thoughts; and thou livest not in the
atmosphere of courts, where babes are given in marriage almost from
their cradles. But listen, Res Wendot; I speak not in jest, I am a man
of my word. Thou hast risked thy life to save my little maid. Thou art a
noble youth, and I honour both thee and thy parents. The maid has told
me that she loves thee well, and would be well pleased to wed thee when
she is of the age to do so. These are but childish words, yet they may
prove themselves true in days to come. It is in the interests of all
those who have the peace and prosperity of this land at heart to
strengthen themselves in every way they can. My little daughter will
have an ample dower to bring her husband; and I will keep her for thee
if thou wilt be willing to claim her in days to come. I should like well
to see her ruling in these fair halls; and thou hast proved already that
thou art a knightly youth, whose hand she may well take with confidence
and pride.

"Thy parents are willing; it waits only for thee to say. What thinkest
thou of a troth plight with the little maid?"

Wendot's face glowed with a sort of boyish shame, not unmingled with
pride; but the idea was altogether too strange and new to him to be
readily grasped.

"I have never thought of such things," he said shyly, "and I am too
young to wed. Perchance I may grow into some rough, uncouth fellow, who
may please not the maiden when she reaches years of discretion. Methinks
it would scarce be fair to plight her now, at least not with such a
plight as might not be broken. If our nations meet in fierce conflict,
as they yet may, it would be a cruel thing to have linked her hand with
that of a rebel, for such we are called by the English monarch, they
say, when we rise to fight for our liberties bequeathed by our ancestor