The Lances of Lynwood | Page 9

to receive them.
"Sir Philip Ashton," said the former, "how is it with you? This is
friendly in you to come and bid us farewell."
"I grieve that it should be farewell, Sir Reginald," said the old Knight,
dismounting whilst Eustace held his stirrup; "our country can ill spare
such men as you. Thanks, my young friend Eustace. See, Leonard,
what good training will do for an Esquire; Eustace has already caught
that air and courteous demeanour that cannot be learnt here among us
poor Knights of Somerset."
This was to his son, who, with a short abrupt reply to the good- natured
greeting of Sir Reginald, had scrambled down from his saddle, and

stood fixing his large gray eyes upon Gaston, whose tall active figure
and lively dark countenance seemed to afford him an inexhaustible
subject of study. The Squire was presented by name to Sir Philip,
received a polite compliment, and replying with a bow, turned to the
youth with the ready courtesy of one willing to relieve the shyness of
an awkward stranger. "We were but now discussing the merit between
damasked steel and chain mail, what opinion do you bring to aid us?" A
renewed stare, an inarticulate muttering, and Master Leonard turned
away and almost hid his face in the mane of his horse, whilst his father
attempted to make up for his incivility by a whole torrent of opinions,
to which Gaston listened with the outward submission due from a
Squire, but with frequent glances, accompanied by a tendency to
elevate shoulder or eyebrow, which Eustace understood full well to
convey that the old gentleman knew nothing whatever on the subject.
This concluded, Sir Philip went to pay his respects to the Lady of
Lynwood, and then, as the hour of noon had arrived, all partook of the
meal, which was served in the hall, the Squires waiting on the Knights
and the Lady before themselves sitting down to table.
It was the influence of dinner that first unchained the silent tongue of
Leonard Ashton, when he found himself seated next to his old
acquaintance, Eustace Lynwood, out of hearing of those whose
presence inspired him with shyness, and the clatter of knives and
trenchers drowning his voice.
"So your brother has let you bear sword after all. How like you the
trade? Better than poring over crabbed parchments, I trow. But guess
you why we are here to-day? My father says that I must take service
with some honourable Knight, and see somewhat of the world. He
spoke long of the Lord de Clarenham, because his favour would be well
in the county; but at last he has fixed on your brother, because he may
do somewhat for me with the Prince."
"Then you are going with us to Bordeaux?" exclaimed Eustace,
eagerly.
"Ay, truly."
"Nay, but that is a right joyful hearing!" said Eustace. "Old friends
should be brethren in arms."
"But, Eustace," said young Ashton, lowering his voice to a confidential
whisper, "I like not that outlandish Squire, so tall and black. Men say

he is a Moor--a worshipper of Mahound."
Eustace laughed heartily at this report, and assured his friend that,
though he had heard his brother often give his Squire in jest his nom de
guerre of _Gaston le Maure_, yet d'Aubricour was a gallant gentleman
of Gascony. But still Leonard was not satisfied. "Had ever man born in
Christian land such flashing black eyes and white teeth? And is not he
horribly fierce and strict?"
"Never was man of kinder heart and blither temper."
"Then you think that he will not be sharp with us? 'More straight in
your saddle!' 'lance lower!' 'head higher;' that is what has been ringing
in my ears from morning till night of late, sometimes enforced by a
sharp blow on the shoulders. Is it not so with you?"
"Oh, old Penrose took all that trouble off their hands long ago. Gaston
is the gentlest of tutors compared with him."
"I hope so!" sighed Leonard; "my very bones ache with the tutoring I
get from my father at home. And, Eustace, resolve me this--"
"Hush, do not you see that Father Cyril is about to pronounce the
Grace--. There--now must I go and serve your father with the grace-
cup, but I will be with you anon."
Leonard put his elbow on the table, mumbling to himself, "And these of
Eustace's be the courtly manners my father would have me learn; they
cost a great deal too much trouble!"
The meal over, Eustace took Leonard into the court to visit the horses
and inspect the new armour. They were joined by Gaston, who took
upon himself to reply to the question which Leonard wished to have
resolved, namely, what they were to do in Castile,