At the end the Countess arose.

"I must go now," she said. "The Duchess will need me; but first, tell
me the other purpose that halted you here."

"The other," replied De Lacy slowly, "has been accomplished."

She looked at him questioningly.

"How so, if it were on my account you tarried?"

Aymer smiled.

"That I shall leave for you to guess," he said.

To his amazement the Countess did not reprove him, but blushed and
looked away.

He bent eagerly toward her.

"My lady," he said, "in all the years I have worn spurs, I have yet to
ask gage of woman. To-morrow I fare where there may be fightings
enough, as you well know. Grant me, I pray, some token, and let my
first sword stroke in England be as your Knight."

"Did you strike no blow yesterday?" she asked.

"None of which a soldier may be proud--it was but a lot of _canaille_."