Courcy was fond of him because her son was never tired of singing his
praises, and because she saw that his friendship was really a benefit to
the somewhat dreamy boy. Aline, a girl of fourteen, regarded him with
admiration; she was deeply attached to her brother, and believed
implicitly his assertion that Edgar would some day become a valiant
knight; while Sir Ralph himself liked him both for the courtesy of his
bearing and the firmness and steadiness of his character, which had, he
saw, a very beneficial influence over that of Albert. Sir Ralph was now
content that the latter should enter the Church, but he was unwilling that
his son should become what he called a mere shaveling, and desired that he
should attain power and position in his profession.

The lack of ambition and energy in his son were a grievance to him almost
as great as his lack of physical powers, and he saw that although, so far
there was still an absence of ambition, yet the boy had gained firmness
and decision from the influence of his friend, and that he was far more
likely to attain eminence in the Church than he had been before. He was
himself surprised that the son of a man whose pursuits he despised should
have attained such proficiency with his weapons--a matter which he had
learned, when one day he had tried his skill with Edgar in a bout with
swords--and he recognized that with his gifts of manner, strength and
enthusiasm for deeds of arms, he was likely one day to make a name for
himself.

Whenever, therefore, Edgar rode over to Sir Ralph's he was certain of a
hearty welcome from all. As to the lad's opinions as to the condition of
the peasantry--opinions which he would have scouted as monstrous on the
part of a gentleman--Sir Ralph knew nothing, Albert having been wise
enough to remain silent on the subject, the custom of the times being
wholly opposed to anything like a free expression of opinion on any