she was sitting. "In the first place, young Master Ormskirk has proved
himself a better man than I with the sword."

"Say not so, I pray you, Sir Ralph," Edgar said. "In skill with the French
tricks I may have had the better of you, but with a mace you would have
dashed my brains out, as I could not have guarded my head against the
blows that you could have struck with it."

"Not just yet, perhaps," the knight said; "but when you get your full
strength you could assuredly do so. He will be a famous knight some day,
dame. But that is not the most surprising piece of news. What would you
say were I to tell you that this weakling of ours, although far from
approaching the skill and strength of his friend, is yet able to wield a
heavy sword manfully and skilfully?"

"I should say that either you were dreaming, or that I was, Sir Ralph."

"Well, I do say so in wide-awake earnest. Master Ormskirk has been his
instructor, and for the last two years the lad has been learning of him
and of his masters. That accounts for the change that we have noticed in
his health and bearing. Faith, he used to go along with stooping neck,
like a girl who has outgrown her strength. Now he carries himself well,
and his health of late has left naught to be desired. It was for that that
his friend invited him to exercise himself with the sword; and indeed his
recipe has done wonders. His voice has gained strength, and though it
still has a girlish ring about it, he speaks more firmly and assuredly
than he used to do."

"That is indeed wonderful news, Sir Ralph, and I rejoice to hear it.
Master Ormskirk, we are indeed beholden to you. For at one time I doubted