l," was not a warrior's King, nor had long residence in
a foreign clime bred in Sir Aymer forgetfulness of the land of his
birth.

And so, at length, he had furled his pennon, and followed by his
faithful squire and a few of his retainers he sought the English Court.
And with him went the solemn purpose either to restore the once great
name he bore to its place among the chivalry of England or to let it
perish utterly with him. Within a few weeks of his arrival, Edward's
sudden death occurred, and he had been quick to appreciate that his
opportunity lay with Gloucester in the North. A friendship formed with
the Duke of Buckingham some years previous in Paris, and which had been
renewed in London, had stood him in good stead; for being acquainted
with De Lacy's purpose of seeking Pontefract, Stafford had to his great
satisfaction made him his confidential messenger in the very matter
which was then so near to Richard's heart.

The entry of the squire broke in on the Knight's thoughts, and he
turned from the window.

"Make haste, Giles," said he, "and get me out of this steel."

With the skill of long practice it was quickly done; and removing the
suit of thin yellow leather worn under the harness, De Lacy donned a
doublet and short gown of black velvet, and then, throwing himself upon
the bed, he awaited the summons to the evening meal.

Meanwhile, the squire had laid aside his own armor and stood forth in
his leather suit that was creased and soiled by the iron weight.

Giles Dauvrey was no fledgling whose apprenticeship had begun among the
dainty pages of my lady's bower. A Gascon, and lowly born, he was a
simple man-at-arms when, in a small affray on the Italian border, he
had chanced to ward from Sir Aymer de Lacy's head the battle-axe that,
falling on him from behind, must else have cleft him to the gorget.
The young Knight had thereupon obtained the man's transfer to his own
following and--becoming assured of his bravery and martial fitness--he
had made him his squire when, a few months later, an Italian cross-bolt
had wrought a vacancy in the post. Stocky in build, wonderfully quick
and thoroughly trained in arms, he also had the rare faculty of
executing an order without the slightest evasion, and could be trusted
in any emergency either of discretion or valor. Right often had the
two stood side by side in the press of skirmish and the rush of
battle,--for they had ever sought the locality of strife--a