elf a formidable figure. Tall and gaunt, with hard craggy features
and intolerant dark eyes, even her snow-white hair and stooping back
could not entirely remove the sense of fear which she inspired in those
around her. Her thoughts and memories went back to harsher times, and
she looked upon the England around her as a degenerate and effeminate
land which had fallen away from the old standard of knightly courtesy
and valor.

The rising power of the people, the growing wealth of the Church, the
increasing luxury in life and manners, and the gentler tone of the age
were all equally abhorrent to her, so that the dread of her fierce face,
and even of the heavy oak staff with which she supported her failing
limbs, was widespread through all the country round.

Yet if she was feared she was also respected, for in days when books
were few and readers scarce, a long memory and a ready tongue were of
the more value; and where, save from Dame Ermyntrude, could the young
unlettered Squires of Surrey and Hampshire hear of their grandfathers
and their battles, or learn that lore of heraldry and chivalry which she
handed down from a ruder but a more martial age? Poor as she was, there
was no one in Surrey whose guidance would be more readily sought upon a
question of precedence or of conduct than the Dame Ermyntrude Loring.

She sat now with bowed back by the empty fireplace, and looked across
at Nigel with all the harsh lines of her old ruddled face softening into
love and pride. The young Squire was busy cutting bird-bolts for his
crossbow, and whistling softly as he worked. Suddenly he looked up and
caught the dark eyes which were fixed upon him. He leaned forward and
patted the bony hand.

"What hath pleased you, dear dame? I read pleasure in your eyes."

"I have heard to-day, Nigel, how you came to win that great war-horse
which stamps in our stable."

"Nay, dame; I had told you that the monks had given it to me."

"You said so, fair son, but never a word more. Yet the horse which you
brought home was a very different horse I wot, to that which was given
you. Why did you not tell me?"

"I should think it shame to talk of such a thing."

"So would your father before you, and his father no less. They would sit
silent among the knights when the wine went round and listen to every
man's deeds; but if perchance there was anyone who spoke louder than the
rest and seemed to be eager for honor, then afterwards your father woul