saw De Lacy and was about to withdraw when the Duke glanced around.

"Nay, sweetheart," said he, rising and going toward her; "do not
retire. . . . Sir Aymer de Lacy, I present you to the Duchess of
Gloucester."

De Lacy advanced and sinking upon one knee touched his lips to the hand
she extended to him.

"Surely, Sir Knight," she said, in a voice whose sweetness struck even
his Southern-bred ear, "a De Lacy should ever be welcome in the halls
of Pontefract."

"Your words, most gracious lady," answered Aymer, "are almost those
used by my lord, the Duke, and to a wanderer's heart they are very
grateful."

"You are an errant, then; a Sir Guy or Sir Lancelot," said the Duchess.

"Nay. Only a poor and simple Knight whose highest honor is that he may
henceforth follow the banner of your great husband."

"Then must hauberk sit easy as velvet doublet or I know not my lord,"
and she smiled at Richard.

"Do not," said he, "give to Sir Aymer the notion that he has nothing
but hard blows before him--although, indeed, he rode hither on scarce a
peaceful mission, since he bears from Stafford and the Nobility the
tender of the Protectorship and the insistence that I proceed to London
without delay."