almost immediately De
Vivonne and De Wilton arrived, and shortly thereafter came Sir Richard
Ratcliffe and Sir Robert Brackenbury, and the talk became general. And
presently Richard himself entered; and when he withdrew the Duchess
went with him and the gathering broke up; and De Lacy got no more than
a casual word of farewell from the Countess.

In the morning all was activity. The bailey resounded with the stamp
of hoofs, the neighing of horses, and the rattle of armor, as the three
hundred and more men-at-arms assembled before the keep, awaiting the
order to fall in. The under officers stood apart conversing, but
glancing, ever and anon, toward the main stairway in anticipation of
the coming of the Duke or one of his suite. Presently the dark face of
Ratcliffe appeared at the door; and after a quick glance about he waved
his hand. Instantly the blare of the trumpet lifted every man into
saddle; and in another moment, that which seemed but a confused mass
had disentangled itself and swung into a square of glittering steel,
over which the morning sunbeams rippled in waves of silver as the
horses moved in restlessness.

De Lacy was standing before the entrance, watching the soldiery, when a
page hurriedly summoned him to the Duke.

He found Gloucester in the lower hall, booted and spurred for the road,
and pacing slowly back and forth, his head upon his breast. He was
dressed entirely in black, and his heavy cloak, lined with fur, lay on
a near-by bancal. He carried his gauntlets in his right hand, and
every step or two would strike them sharply against the top of his high
boot. Catesby, Brackenbury and Ratcliffe were gathered a bit apart,
talking in low tones. They glanced up when De Lacy appeared, and as he
halted just within the doorway, waiting for the Duke to address him,
Brackenbury spoke:

"My lord, Sir Aymer de Lacy is here."

Richard wheeled abruptly. "Come hither," he said, and led the way
toward the window. "Do you know the country or people in the region of
Kirkstall Abbey?"

"No, my lord," said De Lacy. "I have never been north of Pontefract."

"Then you are the one for the purpose. A dozen men-at-arms have been
detailed for you; take them and proceed direct to Craigston Castle and
deliver to Sir John de Bury this letter. I ride to York to-day and
South to-morrow. If you hasten, you can rejoin me at Nottingham. Do
you understand?"

"Perfectly, my lord."

"Then away. Come, gentl