f ten generations to set foot across the threshold of the
hall; he went on my behalf to sue for their cousin's hand.

"Then was their hour. To them that had been taught the humiliating
lesson that we were their betters, one of us came suing. They from whom
the countryside looked for silence when one of us spoke, had it in their
hands at length to say us nay. And they said it. What answer my father
made them, Kenneth, I know not, but very white was his face when I met
him on the castle steps on his return. In burning words he told me of
the insult they had put upon him, then silently he pointed to the Toledo
that two years before he had brought me out of Spain, and left me. But
I had understood. Softly I unsheathed that virgin blade and read the
Spanish inscription, that through my tears of rage and shame seemed
blurred; a proud inscription was it, instinct with the punctilio
of proud Spain--'Draw me not without motive, sheathe me not without
honour.' Motive there was and to spare; honour I swore there should be;
and with that oath, and that brave sword girt to me, I set out to my
first combat."

Sir Crispin paused and a sigh escaped him, followed by a laugh of
bitterness.

"I lost that sword years ago," said he musingly. "The sword and I have
been close friends in life, but my companion has been a blade of coarser
make, carrying no inscriptions to prick at a man's conscience and make a
craven of him."

He laughed again, and again he fell a-musing, till Kenneth's voice
aroused him.

"Your story, sir."

Twilight shadows were gathering in their garret, and as he turned his
face towards the youth, he was unable to make out his features; but
his tone had been eager, and Crispin noted that he sat with head bent
forward and that his eyes shone feverishly.

"It interests you, eh? Ah, well--hot foot I went to the hall, and with
burning words I called upon those dogs to render satisfaction for the
dishonour they had put upon my house. Will you believe, Kenneth, that
they denied me? They sheltered their craven lives behind a shield of
mock valour. They would not fight a boy, they said, and bade me get my
beard grown when haply they would give ear to my grievance.

"And so, a shame and rage a hundredfold more bitter than that which I
had borne thither did I carry thence. My father bade me treasure up the
memory of it against the time when my riper years should compel them to
attend me, and this, by my every hope of heaven