he returned to the hall, where he found Gaston and Ingram, just come
in from attending to the horses, and Ralph hurrying the servants in
setting out an ample meal for the travellers.

"My good old friend," said Eustace, holding out his hand as he
entered, "I have not greeted you aright. You must throw the blame
on the tidings that took from me all other thought, Ralph; for never
was there face which I was more rejoiced to see.

"It was the blame of our own reception of you, Sir Eustace," said
old Penrose. "I could tear my hair to think that you should have
met with no better welcome than barred gates and owlet shrieks;
but did you but know how wildly your bugle-blast rose upon our
ear, while we sat over the fire well-nigh distraught with sorrow,
you would not marvel that we deemed that the spirit of our good
Knight might be borne upon the moaning wind."

"Yet," said Arthur, "I knew the note, and would have gone to the
turret window, but that Mistress Cicely held me fast; and when
they sent Jocelyn to look, the cowardly knave brought back the
tale which you broke short."

"Boast not, Master Arthur," said Gaston; "you believed in our
ghostship as fully as any of them."

"But met us manfully," said Eustace. "But why all these precautions?
Why the drawbridge raised? That could scarce be against a ghost."

"Alas! Sir Eustace, there are bodily foes abroad!" said Ralph. "By
your leave, Master d'Aubricour," as Gaston was about to assist his