of this? Some mere dodge on Harald's part? Are we cut off?" "Think!
Sir Florian? God forgive me for ever thinking at all; I have given up
that long and long ago, because thirty years ago I thought this, that
the House of Lilies would deserve anything in the way of bad fortune
that God would send them: so I gave up thinking, and took to fighting.
But if you think that Harald had anything to do with this, why-why-in
God's name, I wish I could think so!"

I felt a dull weight on my heart. Had our house been the devil's
servants all along? I thought we were God's servants.

The day was very still, but what little wind there was, was at our
backs. I watched Hugh's face, not being able to answer him. He was the
cleverest man at war that I have known, either before or since that
day; sharper than any hound in ear and scent, clearer sighted than any
eagle; he was listening now intently. I saw a slight smile cross his
face; heard him mutter, "Yes! I think so: verily that is better, a
great deal better." Then he stood up in his stirrups, and shouted,
"Hurrah for the Lilies! Mary rings!" "Mary rings!" I shouted, though I
did not know the reason for his exultation: my brother lifted his
head, and smiled too, grimly. Then as I listened I heard clearly the
sound of a trumpet, and enemy's trumpet too.

"After all, it was only mist, or some such thing," I said, for the
pass between the hills was clear enough now.

"Hurrah! only mist," said Amald, quite elated; "Mary rings!" and we
all began to think of fighting: for after all what joy is equal to
that?