first encounter. I thought of that as I ran forward with you, but as soon
as the ruffian advanced against me, I felt with joy that my hand was as
steady as when I stood opposite you. It was a good cause in which I was to
fight, and as soon as our swords crossed I felt how different it was to
standing up against you, and that the ruffian knew little of sword-play.
Twice I saw an opening for a straight thrust, but I had no desire to kill
him, and waited until I could slash him across the face, and it needed but
a few passes before I saw the opportunity."

When Dame Agatha came down in the morning she tenderly kissed Albert.

"My boy," she said, "I never said aught at the time, when it seemed that
you were never like to grow strong enough to lay lance in rest or wield
battle-axe, to show you that I regretted that you were not able to follow
the profession of arms, as those of your race have ever done. I felt that
it was hard enough for you, and therefore tried my best to reconcile you
to the thought of becoming a priest; but now that all that has changed,
and you have shown that you will be a brave and gallant knight, I can tell
you that it gives me as great a joy as it does your father. The Church is
a high and holy profession, but at present, as the preaching of Wickliffe
has made manifest to all--although I do not hold with all he says, and
deem that he carries it too far--I feel that until many of these abuses
are rectified 'tis not a profession that I should, had I the choice, wish
my son to enter. I am glad, Albert, too, that your sword should have been
drawn for the first time on behalf of persons attacked by cut-throats, and
in saving life. God bless you, my boy, and give you strength ever so to
draw it in defence of the oppressed, and for the honour of your country."

Aline was exuberant in her pleasure. She was fondly attached to her
brother, and that he would be lost to her as a priest had been a source of