"What were the tales?"

"They were many and various, yet I gathered that he was a great warrior
and fit to be a ruler of men."

"And you gathered truly," returned De Lacy. "He is the best soldier
and shrewdest man in all this island Kingdom."

"How looks he to the eye, my lord?"

"You may judge that for yourself; observe him at the evening meal.
Here comes the summons."

A step came rapidly up the stairs and a page halted at the half-opened
doorway.

"His Grace requests that Sir Aymer de Lacy join him in the great hall,"
he said.

The Knight arose and flung his short cloak about him.

"Lead on," he ordered; "we follow."

When they entered the hall the Duke was already seated on the dais,
surrounded by the officers of his household. On the right, De Lacy
recognized Sir Robert Wallingford, to whom, as Constable of Pontefract,
he had been conducted upon his arrival; but the others he was not able
to identify, although, of course, he knew by reputation several who
should be among them. The chair on Richard's left was unoccupied, and
he motioned for De Lacy to take it.