CHAPTER XX. WINGFIELD MANOR.



The drawing of swords was not regarded as a heinous offence in
Elizabethan days. It was not likely, under ordinary circumstances,
to result in murder, and was looked on much as boxing is, or was
recently, in public schools, as an evidence of high spirit, and a
means of working off ill-blood.

Lady Shrewsbury was, however, much incensed at such a presumptuous
reception of the suitor whom she had backed with her would-be
despotic influence; and in spite of Babington's making extremely
light of it, and declaring that he had himself been too forward in
his suit, and the young lady's apparent fright had made her brother
interfere over hastily for her protection, four yeomen were
despatched by her Ladyship with orders instantly to bring back Master
Humfrey Talbot to answer for himself.

They were met by Mr. Talbot with the sober reply that Master Humfrey
was already set forth on his journey. The men, having no orders,
never thought of pursuing him, and after a short interval Richard
thought it expedient to proceed to the Manor-house to explain
matters.

The Countess swooped upon him in one of her ungovernable furies--one
of those of which even Gilbert Talbot avoided writing the particulars