Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-01
CHApTER XIV.
How Sir Nigel Wrote to Twynham

How Sir Nigel Wrote to Twynnam
Castle.
On the morning after the 1ousting. when
Aleyne Edricson went, a. was his CUSTOM
into his masters chamber to wait upon
him in his dressing and to curl his hair. ne
found him already up and very ousiiy al
work He sat at table by the window
deerhound on one side OF him and lurcn-
or at the other. his feet tucked away under
the trestle on which he sat- and his tongue
in his cheek, with the air of a man who Is
much perplexed. A sheet OF velium Jay
upon the board in front of him, and ne neid
a pen in his hand with which he had peen
scribbling in rude school-boy hand. 80
many were the blots, however, ana SO hu-
merous the scratches and erasures' that nc
had at last given 1t up in despair. ana sat
with his single uncovered eye cooked up
ward at the ceiling, as one who waits upon
by St. Paulr' hecried as Alleyne entered.
you are the man who will stand by me m
this matter. I have been In sore heeo VI
God be with you, my fair lord!' the
SQUIRE answered IT trust that you have
taken no hurt from all that you have gone
NAV: I feel the fresher for 1t. Alleyne.
It has eased my joints. which were some
what stiff from these years. OF peace.
trust, Aneyne, that thou didst very care
fully note and mark the bearing aHo ca =.
riage of this knight OF France, FOR Is
time now when you are young that you
should see all that Is best, ana moio YOU
own actions in accordance. rms was q
man from whom much nonor Hhehe "
gained. and have seldom met any one LOT
whom I have conceived SO much love ana
esteem. Could 1 but learn his name,
Should send you to him with my cartel,
that we might have further occasion ~
watch his goodly feats OF arms.
ut is said. my fair lord, that none knew
his name save only Lord Chandos, and ina
he Is under vow not to speak II. so ran ene
gossip at the squires' table.
"Be he who he might, he was very marry
gentleman But have a task here. Aileyne,
which is harder to me than aught that was
set before me yesterday.
Can help you, my lordF
THAT. indeed, you can. have !. oeen
writing my greetings to my sweet wire. LOT
I hear that a messenger goes from the
price to Southampton within the Weeh'
and he would gladly take packet Tor me.
/ pray YOU, Alleyne, to cast your eyes upon
what I have written. and see If they are
such words as my lady will understand;
My fingers, as you can see, are more usea
to iron and leather than to the craving VI
strokes and turning Of letters. what, then :
Is there aught amiss that you should
stare SOP?
1T is this first word my lord, In what
tongue were you pleased to writer
I'm English: for my lady talks lt more
than she doth French.
yet this is no English word. my sweet
lord. Here are four ts and never ie''ei
betwixt them"
"Ry St. Paul. it seemed strange to my eye
when / wrote it, said Sir Nigel. Ihey
br:stIe up together like a clump OF iances.
We must break their ranks ana set enehi
further apart. The word is that NOW: 4
will read ii to you, Alleyne, and you shaii
write IT out fair. for we leave Bordeaux this
day and 1t would be great JOY for me 10
think that the Lady Loring had WORD from
me-"
In his hand and a fresh sheet of parch-
ment before him, while Sir Nigel slowly
spelled out his letter, running MS lore
finger on from word to word.
THAT my heart Is with thee, my ,,,, desl
sweeting is what thine own heart VIII as
sure thee of All is we'll with us here, save
that Pepin hath the mango on his BACK
and Pommers hath scarce yet got GEAR Oh
his stiffness from being four days on ship
hoard. and the more so because the sea was
Yery high and we were like to founder on
account of a hole in her side, which was
made by stone cast at us by certain sea
rovers, who may the saints have in their
keeping for they have gone from among
u.s. as has young Teriake and two score
mariners and archers, who would be the
more welcome here, as there, is IKE TO pc
a very fine war, with much honor and all
hopes of advancement, for which 1 go to
gather my company together, who are now
at Montaubon where they pillage and de-
stroy; yet hope that, by Gods help, 1 may
be able to show that l am their master:
even as, my sweet lady. l am thy servant. ;"
How of that. Alleyne?" continued Sir
Nigel blinking at his squire, with an ex-
preston of some pride upon his face.
Have l not told her all that hath befallen
us?"
You have said much, my fair lord; and
yet, If may say SO, 1t Is somewhat crowded
together. SO that my Lady Loring can,
mayhap. scarce follow it. Were it in
- i1Se
Nay, it boots me not how you marshal
them, as long as they are all there at the
muster. Let my lady have the words, and
she will place them in such order as pieases
her best. But l would have you add what
it would please her to know"
THAT will l." said Alleyne, bithely and
bent to the task.
My Fair Lady and Mistress he wrote.
God hath had us in His keeping, and my
lord is well and in good cheer He hath
won much honor at the jousting before
the prince, when he alone was able to make
1t good against a very valiant man from
France. Touching the moneys, there is
enough and to spare until We reach Mon
taubon. Herewith. my fair lady, l send my
humble regards, entreating you that you
will give the same to your daughter, the
Lady Maude. May the holy saints have
you both in their keeping is ever the prayer
of thy servant. ALLEYNE EDRICSON.'
THAT is very fairly set FORTH" said Sir
Nigel, noddng his bald head as each SEN
tence was read to him. And for thySelf,
Alleyne, If there be any dear friend to
whom you would fain give greeting. / can
send it for thee within this packet"
There is none" said AlIeyne, sadly.
Have you no kinsfolk. then?'
None save my brother"
''Ha! I had forgotten that there was Ill
blood betwixt you. But are there none in
all England who love thee?
None that l dare say So"
And none whom you lover"
Nay, win not say that" said Alleyne.
Sir Nigel shook his head and laughed soft
ly to himself. Il see how 1t is with YOU
he said. Have / not noted your frequent
signs and vacant eyer Is she fair?"
"She is. indeed" cried Alleyne, from his
heart. all tlngling at this sudden turn of
the talk.
And good?'
'As an angel"
And yet she loves you not?'
NAY. |, cannot say that she loves an
other"
Then you have hopes?"
II could not live else
Then must you strive to be worthy OF
her love. Be brave and pure, fearless 10
the strong and humble to the weak; and
so, whether this love prosper or not, you
will have fitted yourself to be honored by
a maiden's- love, which is, in sooth the
highest guerdon which true knight can
hone for"