ith his eyes, and, if it might be, take some measure with the
threat which lay in the lad's life. Nought he tarried, but set off in an
hour's time with no more company than four men-at-arms and an old squire
of his, who was wont to do his bidding without question, whether it were
good or evil.

So they went by frith and fell, by wood and fair ways, till in two days'
time they were come by undern within sight of the Castle of the Outer
March, and entered into the street of the thorpe aforesaid; and they saw
that there were no folk therein and at the house-doors save old carles
and carlines scarce wayworthy, and little children who might not go
afoot. But from the field anigh the thorpe came the sound of shouting
and glad voices, and through the lanes of the houses they saw on the
field many people in gay raiment going to and fro, as though there were
games and sports toward.

Thereof Lord Rolf heeded nought, but went his ways straight to the
Castle, and was brought with all honour into the hall, and thither came
Lord Richard the Lean, hastening and half afeard, and did obeisance to
him; and there were but a few in the hall, and they stood out of earshot
of the two lords.

The Marshal spoke graciously to Lord Richard, and made him sit beside
him, and said in a soft voice: "We have come to see thee, Lord, and how
the folk do in the Uttermost Marches. Also we would wot how it goes with
a lad whom we sent to thee when he was yet a babe, whereas he was some
byblow of the late King, our lord and master, and we deemed thee
both rich enough and kind enough to breed him into thriving without
increasing pride upon him: and, firstly, is the lad yet alive?"

He knitted his brow as he spake, for carefulness of soul; but Lord
Richard smiled upon him, though as one somewhat troubled, and answered:
"Lord Marshal, I thank thee for visiting this poor house; and I shall
tell thee first that the lad lives, and hath thriven marvellously,
though he be somewhat unruly, and will abide no correction now these
last six years. Sooth to say, there is now no story of his being anywise
akin to our late Lord King; though true it is that the folk in this
faraway corner of the land call him King Christopher, but only in a
manner of jesting. But it is no jest wherein they say that they will
gainsay him nought, and that especially the young women. Yet I will say
of him that he is wise, and asketh not overmuch; the more is the sorrow
of many of the mai