old water. Then he crossed with a quick stride from the darkness
into the light. The King stood up and held out his hand with a smile
upon his long handsome face, and yet it seemed to the Italian that it
was the lips which smiled but not the eyes.

"Welcome!" cried Edward. "Welcome to our worthy and faithful Seneschal
of Calais! Come, sit here before me at the board, for I have sent for
you that I may hear your news from over the sea, and thank you for
the care that you have taken of that which is as dear to me as wife or
child. Set a place for Sir Aymery there, and give him food and drink,
for he has ridden fast and far in our service to-day."

Throughout the long feast which the skill of the Lady Ermyntrude had
arranged, Edward chatted lightly with the Italian as well as with
the barons near him. Finally, when the last dish was removed and the
gravy-soaked rounds of coarse bread which served as plates had been cast
to the dogs, the wine-flagons were passed round; and old Weathercote
the minstrel entered timidly with his harp in the hope that he might be
allowed to play before the King's majesty. But Edward had other sport
afoot.

"I pray you, Nigel, to send out the servants, so that we may be alone.
I would have two men-at-arms at every door lest we be disturbed in our
debate, for it is a matter of privacy. And now, Sir Aymery, these noble
lords as well as I, your master, would fain hear from your own lips how
all goes forward in France."

The Italian's face was calm; but he looked restlessly from one to
another along the line of his listeners.

"So far as I know, my liege, all is quiet on the French marches," said
he.

"You have not heard then that they have mustered or gathered to a head
with the intention of breaking the truce and making some attempt upon
our dominions?"

"Nay, sire, I have heard nothing of it."

"You set my mind much at ease, Aymery," said the King; "for if nothing
has come to your ears, then surely it cannot be. It was said that the
wild Knight de Chargny had come down to St. Omer with his eyes upon my
precious jewel and his mailed hands ready to grasp it."

"Nay, sire, let him come. He will find the jewel safe in its strong box,
with a goodly guard over it."

"You are the guard over my jewel, Aymery."

"Yes, sire, I am the guard."

"And you are a faithful guard and one whom I can trust, are you not? You
would not barter away that which is so dear to me when I have chosen you
out