examine the proofs which they may bring forward. As to the estates, they
were granted to Sir Jasper Vernon and cannot be restored. Nevertheless I
doubt not that the youth will carve out for himself a fortune with his
sword. You are his master, I suppose? I would fain pay you to cancel his
apprenticeship. Sir Walter Manny has promised to enroll him among his
esquires."

"I will cancel his indentures willingly, my liege," the armourer answered,
"and that without payment. The lad has been to me as a son, and seeing his
high spirit, and knowing the gentle blood running in his veins, I have done
my best so to teach him and so to put him in the way of winning back his
father's rank by his sword."

"He hath gone far towards it already," the king said, "and methinks may yet
gain some share in his father's inheritance," and he glanced at little
Mistress Edith Vernon and then smiled at the queen. "Well, we shall see,"
he went on. "Under Sir Walter Manny he will have brave chances of
distinguishing himself, and when my son takes the field he shall ride with
him. But I am keeping the hosts waiting. Bring hither," he said to Earl
Talbot, "Clarence Aylmer."

The young noble was led up to the king. "You have done well, Clarence;
though you have been worsted you fought bravely, but you were deceived by a
ruse which might have taken in a more experienced captain. I trust that you
will be friends with your adversary, who will be known to you henceforth as
Walter Somers, son of Sir Roland of that name, and who will ride to the
wars, whither you also are shortly bound, under the standard of Sir Walter
Manny."

The cloud which had hung over the face of the young noble cleared. It had