for the dues paid by vassals to their Lord on a new succession, and
on Eleanor's indignant refusal, followed it up by a further claim to
the wardship of the person of Arthur himself, both in right of his
alleged feudal superiority, and as the next of kin who was of full
age. Again was his demand refused, and shortly after Lady Lynwood's
alarms were brought to a height by an attempt on his part to waylay
her son and carry him off by force, whilst riding in the neighbourhood
of the Castle. The plot had failed, by the fidelity of the villagers
of Lynwood, but the shock to the lady had increased the progress of
the decay of her health, already undermined by grief. She never
again trusted her son beyond the Castle walls; she trembled whenever
he was out of her sight, and many an hour did she spend kneeling
before the altar in the chapel. On her brother-in-law, Sir Eustace,
her chief hope was fixed; on him she depended for bringing Arthur's
case before the King, and, above all, for protecting him from the
attacks of the enemy of his family, rendered so much more dangerous
by his relationship. She did not believe that actual violence to
Arthur's person was intended, but Fulk's house had of late become
such an abode of misrule, that his mother and sister had been
obliged to leave it for a Convent, and the tales of the lawlessness
which there prevailed were such that she would have dreaded nothing
more for her son than a residence there, even if Fulk had no interest
in oppressing him.

That Eustace should return to take charge of his nephew before her
death was her chief earthly wish, and when she found herself rapidly
sinking, and the hope of its fulfilment lessening, she obtained a
promise from Father Cyril that he would conduct the boy to the Abbey
of Glastonbury, and there obtain from the Abbot protection for him
until his uncle should return, or the machinations of Fulk be