Dame Vernon makes no objection, as she well might."

"If I did not object before, Walter," she said smiling, "why should I do so
now?"

"It is different, my lady; before, it was somewhat of a jest, a sort of
childish play on the part of Mistress Edith, though so far as I was
concerned it was no play, but sober earnest.

"It needs no permission from me," Dame Vernon replied, "for you to wear my
daughter's colours. Any knight may proclaim any lady he chooses the
mistress of his heart, and a reigning beauty will often have a dozen young
knights who wear her colours. However, I am well content that one who has
done me such great service and who has shown such high promise should be
the first to wear the gage of my little daughter, and if in after years
your life fulfils the promise of your youth, and you remain true to her
gage, there is none among all the youths of the court whom I would so
gladly see at her feet. Remember," she said, as Walter was about to speak,
"her hand will not be at my disposal, but at that of the king. His majesty
is wont to bestow the hands of his wards upon those who most distinguish
themselves in the field. You have already attracted his royal attention and
commendation. Under Sir Walter Manny you will be sure of opportunities of
distinguishing yourself, and the king may well be glad some day at once to
reward your services and to repair a cruel injustice by bestowing upon you
the hand of the heiress of your father's lands. If I mistake not, such a
thought has even now crossed his majesty's mind, unless I misinterpreted a
glance which yesterday passed between him and our sweet queen. I need not
tell you to speak of your hopes to none, but let them spur you to higher
exertions and nobler efforts. Loving my little Edith as I do, I naturally
consider the prize to be a high one. I have often been troubled by the