o have his horse killed when the shaft
had passed through his mail breeches, his thigh and his saddle. And yet,
what is the most strongly shot arrow to these new balls of iron driven
by the fire-powder which will crush a man's armor as an egg is crushed
by a stone? Our fathers knew them not."

"Then the better for us," cried Nigel, "since there is at least one
honorable venture which is all our own."

Chandos chuckled and turned upon the flushed youth a twinkling and
sympathetic eye. "You have a fashion of speech which carries me back to
the old men whom I met in my boyhood," said he. "There were some of the
real old knight-errants left in those days, and they spoke as you do.
Young as you are, you belong to another age. Where got you that trick of
thought and word?"

"I have had only one to teach me, the Lady Ermyntrude."

"Pardieu! she has trained a proper young hawk ready to stoop at a lordly
quarry," said Chandos. "I would that I had the first unhooding of you.
Will you not ride with me to the wars?"

The tears brimmed over from Nigel's eyes, and he wrung the gaunt hand
extended from the bath. "By Saint Paul! what could I ask better in the
world? I fear to leave her, for she has none other to care for her. But
if it can in any way be arranged--"

"The King's hand may smooth it out. Say no more until he is here. But if
you wish to ride with me--"

"What could man wish for more? Is there a Squire in England who would
not serve under the banner of Chandos! Whither do you go, fair sir? And
when do you go? Is it to Scotland? Is it to Ireland? Is it to France?
But alas, alas!"

The eager face had clouded. For the instant he had forgotten that a suit
of armor was as much beyond his means as a service of gold plate. Down
in a twinkling came all his high hopes to the ground. Oh, these sordid
material things, which come between our dreams and their fulfilment! The
Squire of such a knight must dress with the best. Yet all the fee simple
of Tilford would scarce suffice for one suit of plate.

Chandos, with his quick wit and knowledge of the world, had guessed the
cause of this sudden change. "If you fight under my banner it is for me
to find the weapons," said he. "Nay, I will not be denied."

But Nigel shook his head sadly. "It may not be. The Lady Ermyntrude
would sell this old house and every acre round it, ere she would permit
me to accept this gracious bounty which you offer. Yet I do not despair,
for only last