would go to his place and bow to the guests, the household moving to
their places; then the music would cease, and the choir sang a grace,
all standing. Paul's place was an honourable one, but he sate with his
back to the hall; and this night, as soon as he entered the hall, and
while the grace was sung, he searched with his eyes up and down the
great tables, but he could not see her whom he desired to see, and the
joy died out of his heart. Now though the Lords and Knights of the
castle honoured Paul because he was honoured by the Duke, they had
little ease with him; so to-night, when Paul took his place, a Knight
that sate next him, a shrewd and somewhat malicious man, who loved the
talk of the Court, and turned all things into a jest, said "How now, Sir
Paul? You entered to-night full of joy; but now you are like one that
had expected to see a welcome guest and saw him not." Then Paul was
vexed that his thoughts should be so easily read, and said with a forced
smile, "Nay, Sir Edwin, we musical men are the slaves of our moods;
there would be no music else; we have not the bold and stubborn hearts
of warriors born." And at this there was a smile, for Sir Edwin was not
held to be foremost in war-like exercise. But having thus said, Paul
never dared turn his head. And the banquet seemed a tedious and hateful
thing to him.

But at last it wore to an end, and healths had been drunk, and grace
was sung; and then they withdrew to the Presence Chamber, where the Duke
and Duchess sate upon chairs of state under a canopy, and the guests
sate down on seats and benches. And presently the Duke sent courteous
word to Paul that if he would sing they would gladly hear him. So Paul
rose in his place and made obeisance, and then moved to a dais which was
set at the end of the chamber; and a page brought him his lute. But Paul
first made a signal to the musicians who were set aloft in a gallery,
and they played a low descant; and Paul sang them a war-song with all
his might, his voice ringing through the room. Then, as the voice made
an end, there was a short silence, such as those who have sung or spoken
from a full heart best love to hear--for each such moment of silence is
like a rich jewel of praise--and then a loud cry of applause, which was
hushed in a moment because of the presence of the Duke.

Then Paul made a bow, and stood carelessly regarding the crowd; for
from long use he felt no uneasiness to stand before many eyes; and