Lynwood, Knight Banneret, and, in his absence, to the Lord Abbot of
Glastonbury, and Cyril Langton, Clerk.

"It is nought," said Clarenham, pushing it from him; "the Lady
of Lynwood had no right to make a will in this manner, since she
unlawfully detained her son from me, his sole guardian."

"The force of the will may be decided by the King's justices," said
Eustace; "but my rights are not founded on it alone. My brother,
Sir Reginald, with his last words, committed his son to my charge."

"What proof do you bring, Sir Eustace?" said Fulk. "I question not
your word, but something more is needed in points of law, and you
can scarcely expect the world to believe that Sir Reginald would
commit his only child to the guardianship of one so young, and the
next heir."

"I am here to prove it, my Lord," said Gaston, eagerly. "'To your
care I commit him, Eustace,' said Sir Reginald, as he lay with his
head on his brother's breast; and methought he also added, 'Beware
of Clarenham.' Was it not so, friend Leonard?"

Leonard's reply was not readily forthcoming. His father was
whispering in his ear, whilst he knit his brow, shuffled with his
feet, and shrugged his shoulder disrespectfully in his father's
face.

"Speak, Master Ashton," said Clarenham, in a cold incredulous tone,
and bending on father and son glances which were well understood.
"To your testimony, respectable and uninterested, credit must be