"Hot blood! wilful blood!" said Sir Philip, shaking his head. "Are
the horses come? Here! your hand, Leonard, help me to rise--Ah! ah!
not so fast--Oh! I shall never get over it! There--mind you, I did
all to prevent this unhappy business--I am clear of it! Fare you
well, Sir Eustace--take an old man's advice, give up the boy, and
leave the country before worse comes of it."

"What is likely to come of it?" said Eustace; "Clarenham made an
uncalled-for, unjust, shameless attempt to seize the person of
my ward. I repelled him by force of arms, and I think he would
scarce like to call the attention of justice to his own share in
the matter."

"Ah! well, you speak boldly, but before you have reached my years,
you will have learnt what it is to have for your foe the most mighty
man of the county--nay, of the court; for your foe, Lord de Clarenham,
is in close friendship with the Earl of Pembroke. Beware, my young
friend, beware!"

When the hall was clear of guests, a council was held between the
Knight, the Priest, and the two Esquires. Its result was, that
Arthur's person, as the most important point, should be secured,
by his uncle carrying him at once to the Prince's protection at
Bordeaux; but it was only with difficulty that Eustace was
prevailed on to fly, as he said, from his accusers. The good
Father had to say, with a smile, that after all there was as much
need for patience and submission under the helm as under the cowl,
before Eustace at length consented. Cyril meanwhile was to lay the
case before the Chancellor, William of Wykeham, and Eustace gave him