Buch. "Consider, Chandos, this is no time to damp his spirit."

"It were a spirit scarce worth fostering, if it is to be damped by
a little breath of the lips one way or the other," said Sir John,
moving off, and adding, when out of Eustace's hearing, "A likely
lad enough had he been under his brother's training, but they will
spoil him, and I will have no hand in it."

Eustace had been accustomed to hold the warrior in such veneration,
that he felt considerably hurt and mortified at the want of welcome
which contrasted with the kindness of the rest; and he could hardly
recover his self-possession sufficiently to inquire the pleasure of
the Prince with regard to his brother's troop.

"Take command yourself," said Edward. "You surely have some Esquire
or man-at-arms who can supply your own want of experience."

"My brother's Squire, Gaston d'Aubricour, is well learned in chivalry,
my Lord," said Eustace, "and I will do my best, with his aid, to
fulfil my trust."

"It is well," said Edward. "The Lances of Lynwood are too well
trained easily to forget their duty, and I fear not but that you
will do well. How old is your brother's young heir?"

"Eight years, my Lord."

"We will soon have him at Bordeaux," said Edward, "that he may grow
up with my boys in the same friendship as their fathers. And now,"
added he, turning from Eustace to the assembled nobles around him,