would not God the rather be moved to avenge Himself?

But in the case of these pages, both under the degree of
knighthood, such solemn sanction was not invoked, yet the affair
was sufficiently impressive. The tilt yard was a wide and level
sward, bordered on one side by the moat, surrounded by a low hedge,
within which was erected a covered pavilion, not much unlike the
stands on race courses in general design, only glittering with
cloth of gold or silver, with flags and pennons fair.

In the foremost rank of seats sat the earl and his countess, with
other guests of rank then residing in the castle, behind were other
privileged members of the household, and around the course were
grouped such of the retainers and garrison of the castle as the
piquant passage of arms between two boys had enticed from their
ordinary posts or duties. But perhaps it was only the same general
appetite for excitement which gathers the whole mass of boys in our
public schools (or did gather in rougher days), to witness a
"mill."

But one essential ceremonial was not omitted. The two combatants
being admitted to the lists, each stood in turn before the earl,
seated in the pavilion, and thus cried:

"Here stands Drogo of Harengod, who maintains that he saw Hubert
(of Nowhere) shoot the earl's deer, and will maintain the same on
the body of the said Hubert, soi-disant of Walderne."

These additions to Hubert's name were insults, and made the earl
frown, while it spoke volumes as to the true cause of the
animosity. Then Hubert stood up and spoke.

"Here stands Hubert of Walderne, who avows that Drogo of Harengod
lies, and will maintain his own innocence on the body of the said
Drogo, so help him God."

Then both knelt, and the chaplain prayed that God, who alone knew
the hearts and the hidden actions of men, would reveal the truth,
by the events of the struggle.

Then each of the combatants went to his own end of the lists, where
a horse and headless lance were awaiting him, under the care of two
friends--fratres consociati. Percy, and Alois from Blois, were the
friends of Hubert. The chronicler has forgotten who befriended or
seconded Drogo, and hopes he found it hard to find any one to do
so.

The earl rose up in the pavilion, and bade the herald sound the
charge. The two combatants galloped against each other at full
speed, and met with a dull heavy shock. Drogo's lance had, whether
providentially or otherwise, just grazed the hel