horses, Miles; and you, my young kinsman, Arthur, you are to be my
guest from henceforth. Come, therefore, prepare for the journey."

Arthur held fast by the hand of his uncle, who replied, "I thank you
in my nephew's name for your intended hospitality, but I purpose at
once to conduct him to Bordeaux, to be enrolled among the Prince's
pages."

"Conduct him to Bordeaux, said the Knight?" answered Sir Fulk with
a sneer; "to Bordeaux forsooth! It is well for you, my fair young
cousin, that I have other claims to you, since, were you once out
of England, I can well guess who would return to claim the lands
of Lynwood."

"What claim have you to his wardship, Sir Fulk?" asked Eustace,
coldly, disdaining to take notice of the latter part of this speech.

"As his feudal superior, and his nearest relation of full age,"
replied Clarenham.

"There are many here who can prove that it is twenty-one years past,
since I was born on the feast of St. Eustace," replied the young
Knight. "The house of Lynwood owns no master beneath the King of
England, and the wardship of my nephew was committed to me by both
his parents. Here is a witness of the truth of my words. Holy
Father, the parchment!"

Father Cyril spread a thick roll, with heavy seals, purporting to be
the last will and testament of Dame Eleanor Lynwood, bequeathing the
wardship and marriage of her son to her beloved brother, Sir Eustace