garrison of the Tower itself there may be many who cannot be trusted. The
place, if well held, should stand out for months, but I am by no means
sure that it will do so when the time comes. I shall certainly raise my
voice against the king abiding here. He with his friends could ride away
without difficulty, if he leaves before the place is beleaguered."

"I suppose you will take my mother and sister into the Tower, father,
should the mob come hither?"

"That I know not, nor can I say until I see the temper of the garrison
when these rioters approach."

On the day after the new clothes arrived, Sir Ralph took his son and Edgar
to the castle and presented them to the king.

"This is my son, your Majesty, of whom I spoke to you. I am happy to say
that I think he will some day be able to follow you to battle as I
followed the noble prince your father; for he has now resolved, should his
health remain good, to take up the profession of arms."

"I am glad to hear it," the young king said, "for indeed 'tis more suited
to the son of a valiant knight like yourself, Sir Ralph, than that of the
Church, excellent though that may be for those who have inclinations for
it. He seems to me a fair young gentleman, and one whom it would please me
to see often at Court."

"This, your Majesty, is Master Edgar Ormskirk, a young gentleman of good
family, but his father has not, although holding more than a knight's feu,
taken up that rank, his tastes being wholly turned towards learning, he
being a distinguished scholar, having passed through our own university at