as well as our fathers, we shall have little to be ashamed of.
What think you of this man's gear?"

"That I could pick up a better suit for half the price at old
Battista, the Lombard's at Bordeaux; nevertheless, since young
Eustace would be the show of the camp if he appeared there
provided in Ralph's fashion, it may be as well to see whether
there be any reasonableness in this old knave."

Before the question was decided, the trampling of horses was heard,
and there rode into the court an elderly man, whose dress and
bearing showed him to be of consideration, accompanied by a youth
of eighteen or nineteen, and attended by two servants. Sir
Reginald and his brother immediately stepped forward to receive
them.

"Sir Philip Ashton," said the former, "how is it with you? This
is friendly in you to come and bid us farewell."

"I grieve that it should be farewell, Sir Reginald," said the old
Knight, dismounting whilst Eustace held his stirrup; "our country
can ill spare such men as you. Thanks, my young friend Eustace.
See, Leonard, what good training will do for an Esquire; Eustace
has already caught that air and courteous demeanour that cannot be
learnt here among us poor Knights of Somerset."

This was to his son, who, with a short abrupt reply to the good-
natured greeting of Sir Reginald, had scrambled down from his
saddle, and stood fixing his large gray eyes upon Gaston, whose
tall active figure and lively dark countenance seemed to afford