once more crowned by the inhabitants. His brother Pedro, attempting
to assassinate him, fell by his hand, and all the consequences of
the English expedition were undone--all, save the wasting disease
that preyed on England's heir, and the desolation at the orphaned
hearth of Lynwood Keep.






CHAPTER VIII



Two years had passed since the fight of Navaretta, when Sir Eustace
Lynwood received, by the hands of a Knight newly arrived from England,
a letter from Father Cyril, praying him to return home as soon as
possible, since his sister-in-law, Dame Eleanor, was very sick, and
desired to see him upon matters on which more could not be disclosed
by letter.

Easily obtaining permission to leave Bordeaux, he travelled safely
through France, and crossing from Brittany, at length found himself
once more in Somersetshire. It was late, and fast growing dark,
when he rode through Bruton; but, eager to arrive, he pushed on,
though twilight had fast faded into night, and heavy clouds, laden
with brief but violent showers, were drifting across the face of
the moon. On they rode, in silence, save for Gaston's execrations
of the English climate, and the plashing of the horses' feet in the