noble and valiant knight. I little thought when my daughter called you her
knight, that in so short a time you might become an aspirant to that
honour. I hope that you do not look askance at us, now that you know I am
in possession of the lands of your parents. Such changes of land, you know,
often occur, but now I know who you are, I would that the estates bestowed
upon Sir Jasper had belonged to some other than you; however, I trust that
you will hold no grudge against us, and that you may win as fair an estate
by the strength of your arm and the king's favour."

"Assuredly I feel no grudge, madam," Walter replied, "and since the lands
were forfeited, am pleased that of all people they should have gone to one
so kind and so fair as yourself."

"What, learning to be a flatterer already!" Dame Vernon laughed. "You are
coming on fast, and I predict great things from you. And now, Edith, lay
aside that sampler you are pretending to be so busy upon and speak to this
knight of yours.

Edith laid down her work and came forward. She was no longer the dignified
little queen of the tournament, but a laughing, bright-faced girl.

"I don't see that you are changed," she said, "except in your dress. You
speak softly and naturally, just as you used to do, and not a bit like
those little court fops, Uncle Talbot's pages. I am afraid you will not
want to be my knight any more, now that you are going to get great honours
at the war; for I heard my Uncle Talbot tell my lady mother that he was
sure you would gain great credit for yourself."

"I shall be always your knight," Walter said earnestly; "I told you I
should, and I never break my word. That is," he went on, colouring, "if