"Nevertheless, to-morrow I must see you ride in the lists. My uncle
says that your father was a mighty lance when he rode at Amboise, on
the famous day of the Thirteen Victories."

"Ah, but my father was twice the man that I am," said the Earl, who
had not taken his eyes from her face since she began to speak.

"Great alike in love and war?" she queried, smiling.

"So, at least, it is reported of him in Touraine," answered his son,
smiling back at her.

"He loved and rode away, like all your race!" cried the girl, with a
strange sudden flicker of passion which died as suddenly. "But I think
it not of you, Lord William. I know you could be true--that is, where
you truly loved."

And as she spoke she looked at him with a questioning eagerness in her
eyes which was almost pitiful.

"I do love and I am loyal," said the young man, with a grave quiet
which became him well, and ought to have served him better with a
woman than many protestations.




CHAPTER XX