that both floor and
ceiling were of the richest oak, the latter spanned by twelve
arching beams, which were adorned at either end by the lilies and
the lions of the royal arms. on the further side was a small
door, on each side of which stood men-at-arms. from time to time
an elderly man in black with rounded shoulders and a long white
wand in his hand came softly forth from this inner room, and
beckoned to one or other of the company, who doffed cap and
followed him.
the two knights were deep in talk, when alleyne became aware of a
remarkable individual who was walking round the room in their
direction. as he passed each knot of cavaliers every head turned
to look after him, and it was evident, from the bows and
respectful salutations on all sides, that the interest which he
excited was not due merely to his strange personal appearance.
he was tall and straight as a lance, though of a great age, for
his hair, which curled from under his velvet cap of maintenance,
was as white as the new-fallen snow. yet, from the swing of his
stride and the spring of his step, it was clear that he had not
yet lost the fire and activity of his youth. his fierce hawk-
like face was clean shaven like that of a priest, save for a long
thin wisp of white moustache which drooped down half way to his
shoulder. that he had been handsome might be easily judged from
his high aquiline nose and clear-cut chin; but his features had
been so distorted by the seams and scars of old wounds, and by
the loss of one eye which had been torn from the socket, that
there was little left to remind one of the dashing young knight
who had been fifty years ago the fairest as well as the boldest
of the english chivalry. yet what knight was there in that hall
of st. andrews who would not have gladly laid down youth, beauty,
and all that he possessed to win the fame of this man? for who
could be named with chandos, the stainless knight, the wise
councillor, the valiant warrior, the hero of crecy, of
winchelsea, of poictiers, of auray, and of as many other battles
as there were years to his life?
"ha, my little heart of gold!" he cried, darting forward suddenly
and throwing his arms round sir nigel. "i heard that you were
here and have been seeking you."
"my fair and dear lord," said the knight, returning the warrior's
embrace, "i have indeed come back to you, for where else shall i
go that i may learn to be a gentle and a hardy knight?"
"by my troth!" said chandos with a smile, "it is very fitting
that we should be companions, nigel, for since you have tied up
one of your eyes, and i have had the mischance to lose one of
mine, we have but a pair between us. ah, sir oliver! you were on
the blind side of me and i saw you not. a wise woman hath made
prophecy that this blind side will one day be the death of me.
we shall go in to the prince anon; but in truth he hath much upon
his hands, for what with pedro, and the king of majorca, and the
king of navarre, who is no two days of the same mind, and the
gascon barons who are all chaffering for terms like so many
hucksters, he hath an uneasy part to play. but how left you the
lady loring?"
"she was well, my fair lord, and sent her service and greetings
to you."
"i am ever her knight and slave. and your journey, i trust that
it was pleasant?"
"as heart could wish. we had sight of two rover galleys, and
even came to have some slight bickering with them."
"ever in luck's way, nigel!" quoth sir john. "we must hear the
tale anon. but i deem it best that ye should leave your squires
and come with me, for, howsoe'er pressed the prince may be, i am
very sure that he would be loth to keep two old comrades-in-arms
upon the further side of the door. follow close behind me, and i
will forestall old sir william, though i can scarce promise to
roll forth your style and rank as is his wont." so saying, he led
the way to the inner chamber, the two companions treading close
at his heels, and nodding to right and left as they caught sight
of familiar faces among the crowd.
chapter xix
how there was stir at the abbey of st. andrews.
the prince's reception-room, although of no great size, was
fitted up with all the state and luxury which the fame and power
of its owner demanded. a high dais at the further end was roofed
in by a broad canopy of scarlet velvet spangled with silver
fleurs-de-lis, and supported at either corner by silver rods.
this was approached by four steps carpeted with the same
material, while all round were scattered rich cushions, oriental
mats and costly rugs of fur. the choicest tapestries which the
looms of arras could furnish draped the walls, whereon the
battles of judas maccabaeus were set forth, with the jewish
warriors in plate of proof, with crest and lance and banderole,
as the nai
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