through this dangerous country, alone with his squire, who bore his
master's lance and carried his small triangular shield, broad at
the summit to protect the breast, but thence diminishing to a
point.

"Dost thou know, my Stephen, thy way through this desolate country?
for verily the traces of the road are but slight."

"My lord, the night grows darker, and the air seems full of snow.
Had we not better return and seek shelter within the walls of
Hamelsham? I fear we have lost the way utterly, and shall never
reach Michelham Priory tonight."

"Nay, the motives that led me forth to face the storm still press
upon me, I must reach Michelham tonight."

An angry hollow gust of wind almost impeded his further progress as
he spoke, and choked his utterance.

"An inhospitable reception England affords us, after an absence of
so many years. Methinks I like Gascony the better in regard to
climate."

"For five happy years have I followed thy banner there, my lord."

"Yet I love England better, foreign although my blood, or I had
thought more of the French king's offer."

"It was a noble offer, my lord."