time watched a noble-looking child of seven or eight years old, who,
mounted on an old war-horse, was led round the court by a youth, his
elder by some ten or eleven years.

"See mother!" cried the child, "I am holding the reins myself. Uncle
Eustace lays not a finger on them!"

"As I was saying, madam," continued Ralph, disregarding the
interruption, "I told him that I should not have thought of one
exempted from feudal service in the camp, by our noble Knight,
being deficient in his dues in his absence. I told him we should
see how he liked to be sent packing to Bordeaux with a sheaf of
arrows on his back, instead of the sheaf of wheat which ought to
be in our granary by this time. But you are too gentle with them,
my Lady, and they grow insolent in Sir Reginald's long absence."

"All goes ill in his absence, said the Lady. "It is a weary while
since the wounded archer brought tidings of his speedy return."

"Therefore," said the youth, turning round, "it must be the nearer
at hand. Come sweet sister Eleanor, cheer up, for he cannot but
come soon."

"So many _soons_ have passed away, that my heart is well-nigh too
sick for hope," said Eleanor. "And when he comes it will be but a
bright dream to last for a moment. He cannot long be spared from
the Prince's side."

"You must go with him, then, sister, and see how I begin my days of
chivalry--that is, if he will but believe me fit to bear shield and