Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-14
CHAPTER X-Continued.


1t CHANGED on that very evening that Sir
Nigel Loring, having supped before sunset
as was his custom, and having himself seen
that Pomners and Cadsand, his two war
horses. with the thirteen hacks, the five
jennets. my lady's three paifreys and the
great dapple-gray roussn, had all their
needs supplied, had taken his dogs for an
evening breather. Sixty or seventy OF
them large and small, smooth and shaggy
deerhound, boarhound, bloodhound, wolf
hound mastiff. alaun, talbot, lurcher. ter
rier, spaniel-snapping, yelling and whining
with score of lolling tongues and waving
tails came surging down the narrow lane
which leads from the Twynham kennels 70
the bank of Avon. Two russet-clad varlets
with loud halloo and cracking WHIPS, walk
ed thigh-deep amid the swarm, suldiIs
controlling and urging. Behind came Slr
Nigel himself with Lady Loring upon his
arm. the pair walking slowly and sedately,
as befitted both their age and their condi-
ton while they watched with a smile Id
their eyes the scrambling crowd in front OF
them They paused, however. at the
bridge and, leaning their elbows upon the
stone work they stood looking down at
their own faces in the CLASSY stream and at
the swift flash of speckled trout against
the tawny gravel
Sir Nigel was slight man of poor stat
ure, with soft lispng voice and gentle
ways. So short was he that his wife, who
was no very tall woman, had the better OF
him by the breadth of three fingers. HIS
sight having been injured in his early wars
by basketful of lime which had been emp
tied over him when he led the Earl of
Derby's stormers up the beach at Berge-
rae, he had contracted something of a
stoop, with blinking, peering expression
of face His age was six-and-forty, but
the constant practice of arms. together
with Clearly life had preserved his &C
tivity and endurance unimpaired, so that
from a distance he seemed to have the
slight limbs and swift grace of boy
His face, however, was tanned of dull
yellow tint. with leathery. poreless look,
which spoke of rough outdoor doings, and
the little pointed beard which he wore, in
Difference to the prevailing fashion, was
streaked and shot with gray. His features
were small, delicate and regular, with
clear-cut, curving nose, and eyes which jut-
ted forward from the lids His dress was
simple and yet spruce. Flandrish hat OF
beevor, bearing in the band the token OF
Our Lady of Embrun, was drawn low upon
the left side to hide that ear which had
been partly shorn from his head by Flem-
fsh man-at-armS in camp brou before
Tourney. His cote-hardie, or tunic, and
trunk -hosen were of a purple plum color
with long weepers which hung from either
sleeve to below his knees. His shoes were
of red leather, daintily pointed at the toes,
but not yet prolonged to the extravagani
bring into fashion. A gold-embroidered
belt of knighthood encircled his loins. with
his arms, five roses gules on a field ar
gent cunningly worked upon the clasp. So
stood S.r Nigel Loring upon the bridge OF
Avon. and talked lightly with his lady.
And, certes, had the two visages alone
been seen, and the stranger been asked
which were the more likely to belong to the
bold warrior whose name was loved by the
toughest soldiery of Europe. he had as
suredIy selected the ladys. Her face was
large, and square, and red, with fierce,
thick brows and the eyes of one who was
accustomed to rule. Taller and broader
than her husband. her flowing gown of SEN
dali, and fur-lined tippet, could not conceal
the gaunt and ungraceful outlines of her fig
ure. 1t was the age of martial women.
The deeds of Black Agnes of Dunbar, OF
Lady Salisbury, and of the Countess of
Montfort, were still fresh in the public
mind. With such examples before them
the wives OF the English captains had be-
come rs warlike as their mates, and or
dered their castles in their absence with
the prudence and discipline of veteran sem
eschals. Right easy We're Montacutes
of their Castle of Twynham, and little had
they to Oh cad from rowing galley or French
squadron while Lady Mary Loring had the
ordering of it. Yet even in that age it was
thought that, though a lady might have a
soldiers heart. ii was scarce as well that
she should have a soldiers face. There
were men who said that of all the stern
W
Nigel Loring had proved the true temper
of his courage not the least was his wooing
and winning of so forbiddng a dame.
Il tell you, my fair lord" she was saying
that Ii is fit training for a demoiselle
hawks and hounds rotes and citoles sing
ing a French ropdel or reading the Gestes
de Doom de Mayence, as l found her yester-
night, pretending sleep, the artful, with the
corner of the scroll thrusting forth from
under her pillow. Lent her by Father
Christopher of the priory, forsooth-that Is
ever her answer. How Shall all this help
her when she has castle of her own tc
keep with a hundred mouths all agape fol-
beef and beer?'
True, my sweet bird. true" answered
the knight, picking comfit from his gold
drageoir. The maid is like the young filly
which kicks heels and plunges for very lust
of life. Give her time, dame, give her time
We'll. i know that my father would have
given me. not time, but good hazel stick
across my shoulders. Ma fol! l know no,
what the world is coming to. when young
maids may fiout their elders. I wonder thai
you do not correct her, my fair lord"
May, my hearts comfort I never raised
hand to woman yet, and it would be a pass
ing strange thing If began upon my owr
flesh and blood. 1t was a woman's hant
which cast this lime into mine eyes, and
though 1 saw her stoop, and might vel
have stopped her ere she threw. ] deemed
1t unworthy of my knighthood to hinder
or balk one of her sex"
1.-THE hussy!' cried Lady Loring, clinchine
her broad right hand. i would l had beer
at the side of heri"
And so would /, since you would have
been the nearer me. my own. But ] doubt
not that you are right, and that Maude's
wings need clipping, which / may leave In
your hands when l am gone, for, in sooth
this peaceful life is not for me, and were
1t not for your gracious kindness and loving
care l could not abide Il week I hear
that there is talk of warlike muster at Bor-
deaux once more, and by st. Paul! 1t would
be new thing IL the lions of England and