talks?"

"Nay, he is known as Edward only, and if you ask a second name it is
Plantagenet, for he who comes to seek the shelter of your roof is your
liege lord and mine, the King's high majesty, Edward of England."

VI. IN WHICH LADY ERMYNTRUDE OPENS THE IRON COFFER

AS in a dream Nigel heard these stupendous and incredible words. As in
a dream also he had a vision of a smiling and conciliatory Abbot, of an
obsequious sacrist, and of a band of archers who cleared a path for him
and for the King's messenger through the motley crowd who had choked the
entrance of the Abbey court. A minute later he was walking by the side
of Chandos through the peaceful cloister, and in front in the open
archway of the great gate was the broad yellow road between its borders
of green meadow-land. The spring air was the sweeter and the more
fragrant for that chill dread of dishonor and captivity which had so
recently frozen his ardent heart. He had already passed the portal when
a hand plucked at his sleeve and he turned to find himself confronted by
the brown honest face and hazel eyes of the archer who had interfered in
his behalf.

"Well," said Aylward, "what have you to say to me, young sir?"

"What can I say, my good fellow, save that I thank you with all my
heart? By Saint Paul! if you had been my blood brother you could not
have stood by me more stoutly."

"Nay! but this is not enough."

Nigel colored with vexation, and the more so as Chandos was listening
with his critical smile to their conversation. "If you had heard what
was said in the court," said he, "you would understand that I am not
blessed at this moment with much of this world's gear. The black death
and the monks have between them been heavy upon our estate. Willingly
would I give you a handful of gold for your assistance, since that is
what you seem to crave; but indeed I have it not, and so once more I say
that you must be satisfied with my thanks."

"Your gold is nothing to me," said Aylward shortly, "nor would you buy
my loyalty if you filled my wallet with rose nobles, so long as you were
not a man after my own heart. But I have seen you back the yellow horse,
and I have seen you face the Abbot of Waverley, and you are such a
master as I would very gladly serve if you have by chance a place for
such a man. I have seen your following, and I doubt not that they were
stout fellows in your grandfather's time; but which of them now would
draw a bow-strin