Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-26
CHAPTER XIX.
How There Was Stir at the Abbey St.


How There Was Stir at the Abbey St.
Andrews.
The princes reception room, although OF
no great size, was fitted up with all the
state and luxury which the fame and power
of It's owner demanded. A high dais at
the further end was rooted I'm by a broad
canopy of scarlet velvet spangled with sill
yer fieur-de-lis, and supported at either cor
ner by silver rods. This was approached
by four steps carpeted with the same ma
terial, while all round were scat
tered rich cushions, oriental mats and
costly rugs of fur. The choicest tapestries
which the looms of Arras could furnish
draped the walls, whereon the battles of
Judas Maccabaeus were set forth, with the
Jewish warriors in plate of proof, with
crest, and lance, and banderole, as the
naive artists of the day were wont to de-
pict them. A few rich settles and bancals,
choicely carved and decorated with glazed
leather hangings of the sort termed or
basane, completed the furniture Of the
apartment, save that at one side of the
dais there stood a lofty perch, upon which
a cast of three solemn Prussian gerfal-
cons sat, hooded and jesseled, as silent and
motionleSS as the royal fowler VINO STOOD
beside them.
In the center of the dais were two very
high chairs with dorserets, which arched
forward over the heads of the occupants,
thickly powdered with golden stars. On
that to the right sat very tall and Well
formed man with red hair. iivid race,
and a cold blue eye, which hao IN II
something peculiarly sinister and menacing.
He lounged back in careless posltlon,
and yawned repeatedly as though heartAy
weary of the proceedings, STOPPING from
time to time to fondle shaggy Spanish
greyhound which lay stretched at MS 1eet;
On the other throne there was percheo
bolt. upright with prim. demeanor, as
though he felt himself to De upon ms soou
behavior, a little. round. plppln-1aceo per
son who smiled and bobbed to every one
whose eye he CHANGED to meet. Between
and a little in front of them, on an
humble charette or stool, sat q eti,i,
dark young man, whose quiet ATTIRE anu
modest manner wouio scarce pT,'ro-,a
him to be the most noted prince In EUROPE
A iupon of dark-blue cloth, tagged Win
buckles and pendants OF golo, seemed ~ ~
a somber and plain attire anna the Weai.h
of silk, and ermine, ana gut lissae "
tian with which he was surrounded: he SAT
with his two hands claSped ROUND MS khee
his head slightly bent, and an expression
of impatience and of trouble upon ms cieal
well-chiseled features: Behlno tne .ii' t,ith
there stood two men in purple gowns. with
ascetic clean shaven faces, ana nan
dozen other high dignitaries and ONCE nolos
ers of Auuitane Below, on elther sue VI
the steps, were forty or hfty parohs, hnieu'
and courtiers ranged In triple row 10 tne
right and the left, with clear passage IN
There sits the prince whispered Sir
John Chandos, as they entered. he on tne
right is Pedro, whom we are about 10 put
upon the Spanish throne. The other IS Don
James, whom we purpose, with the ald Oh
God, to help to his throne in MaJorca. NO"
follow me, and take 1t not TO heart II ne pe
a little short in his speech, for indeed ms
mind is full of many very weighty con-
Germs"
The prince, however had already OBJ
served their entrance, and, sprlnglng 10 ms
feet he had advanced with winning snllle
and the light of welcome in his eyes.
I'VE do not need your good offices as
herald here, Sir john" said he, In a low
but clear voice; these valiant knights are
very well known to me- Welcome to Aqul-
tame Sir Nigel Loring and Sir Oliver But
testhorn. Nay, keep your knee for my sweet
father at Windsor. l would have your
hands my friends. We are like to give you
some work to do you see the downs of
Spain, Sir Oliver?'
'Naught, my sire, save that have heard
men say that there is dish named an Ola
which is prepared there, though l have
never been clear in my mind as to whether
IL was but ragout such as Is to be FOUND
in the south or whether there is some sea-
soning such as fennel or garlic which is
peculiar to Spain"
your doubts, Sir Oliver, shall soon be
resolved" answered the prince, laughing
heartily, as did many of the barons VINO
surrounded them. His majesty here will
doubtless order that you have this dish
hotly seasoned when we are all safely in
CASTLE"
Il will have a holly seasoned dish for
some folk l know OF" answered Don Pedro,
with cold smile.
But my friend Sir Oliver can fight right
hardly without either bite or sup" re-
marked the prince. Did | not see him at
Poictiers, when for two days we had not
more than a crust of bread and cupful of
foul water, yet carrying himself most val
iantly. With my own eyes l saw him in the
rout sweep the head from a knight of
P!cndy with one blow of his sword"
1.-The rogue got between me and the near
est French victual wain," muttered Sir
Oliver amid fresh litter from those who
were near enough to catch his words.
How many have you in your train?"
asked the prince, assuming a graver mien.
Il have forty men-at-armS, sire said Sir
oliver
And l have one hundred archers and a
score OF lancers; but there are two hun
dred men who wait for me on this side of
the water upon the borders of Navarro"
And who are they, Sir Ngel?"
They are a free company, sire, and they
called the White Company"
To the establishment of the knight, his
words provoked a burst of merriment from
the barons round, in which the two kings
and the prince were fain to join. Sir Nigel
blinked mildly from one TO the other, until
at last perceiving stout black-bearded
dl eiDUW, WHOSE lduSH rang
somewhat louder than the others, he touch
ed him lightly upon the sleeve.
Perchance, my fair SIR he whispered,
there is some small vow of which | may
relieve you. Might we not have some hon
orable debate upon the matter. Your gentle
courtesy may perhaps grant me an ex-
change of thrusts."
Nay, nay, Sir Nigel" cried the prince,
"fasten not the offense upon Sir Robert
Briquet, for we are one and all begged In
the same mire. Truth to say, our ears have
just been vexed by the doings of the same
company, and have even now made VOW to
hang the man who held the rank of captain
over it. little thought to find him among
the bravest of my own chosen chieftains.
But the vow is now naught, for, as you
have never seen your company it would be
a fools act to blame you for their doings."
My Hege," said Sir Nigel, 1T is a very
small matter that l should be hanged, al
belt the manner of death Is somewhat more
ignoble than had hoped for. On the other
hand, 1t would be a very grievous thing
that you, the Prince of England and the
flower of knighthood, should make a VOW
whether in ignorance or no, and fail to bring
1t to fulfillment."
'VeX not your mind on that" the prince
answered, smiling. I'VE have had a citf-
zen from Montauban here this very day,
who told us such tale of sack and murder