Evening star., 1905-10-17
THE WHITE COMPANY
BY A. CONAN DOYLE.

whatever came to his hand to do? In turn
ing from the service of the one to that of
the other Aleyne could not feel that he
was lowering his aims in life, True that
ms gentle and thoughtful nature recoiIed
from the grim work of war, yet In those
days of martial orders and militant brother
hoods there was no gulf fixed betwixt the
priest and the soldier. The man of God
and the man of the sword might without
scandal be united In the same individual
Why, then, should he. mere clerk, have
scruples when so fair a chance lay in his
way of carrying out the spirit as well
the letter of his fathers provision? Much
struggle it cost him, anxious spirit-ques-
donings and midnight prayings, with many
doubt and d misgiving; but the issue was
that ere he had been three days in Castle
Twynham, he had taken service under Sir
Nigel, and had accepted horse and harness,
the same to be paid for out of his share of
the profits of the expedition. Henceforth,
for seven hours a day, ne Strove In the tilt
yard to qualify himself to be worthy
squire to so worthy a knight. Young sup
pie and active, with all the pent energies
from the years of pure and healthy living,
it was not long before he could manage his
horse and his weapon well enough to earn
an approving nod from critical men-at-
arms or to hold his own against Terlake
and Ford, his fellow-servitors.
But were there no other considerations
which swayed him from the cioisters
toward the world? So complex is the hui
man spirit that 1t can itself scarce discern
the deep springs which impel 1t to action.
of life of which he had been as innocent as
child, but one which was of such deep
import that 1t could not fail to influence
him in choosing his path. woman. in
monkish precepts had been the embodiment
and concentration of what was dangerous
and evil-a focus whence spread all that
was to be dreaded and avoided. So detil-
ing was their presence that a true 'Cister-
clan might not raise his eyes to their face
or touch their finger tips under ban OF
church and fear of deadly sin. Yet here,
day after day for an hour after nones and
for an hour before vespers. he found him.
self in close communion with three mai
dens, all young, all fair and all. therefore,
doubly dangerous from the monkish stand
point. Yet he found that in their presence
he was conscious of quick sympathy,
pleasant ease, ready response to all that
was most gentle and best in himself, which
filled his soul with a vague and new-found
joy.
And yet the Lady Maude Loring was no
easy pupil to handle An older and more
world-wise man might have been puzzled
by her varying moods, her sudden preju-
diceS, her quick resentment at all constraint
and authority. Did a subject interest her.
was there space in it for either romance or
imagination, she would fly through 1t with
her subtle, active mind leaving her two
fellow-students and even her teacher toll
ing behind her. On the other hand, were
there dull patience needed with steady toll
and strain of memory, no single fact could
by any driving be fixed in her mind. AL
leyne might talk to her of the stories of
old gods and heroes, of gallant deeds and
lofty aims or he might hold forth upon
moon and stars, and let his fancy wander
over the hidden secrets of the universe
and he would have a rapt listener with
flushed cheeks and eloquent eyes, who could
repeat after him the very words which had
fallen from his lips. But when 1t came to
almagest, and astrolabe, the counting of fig
ures and reckoning of epicycles, away would
go her thoughts to horse and hound, and
vacant eye and listless face would warn
l0n fn.lN Nln1- hot hn hnl hic l,nid
his scholar. Then he had but to bring out
the old romance book from the priory with
befngered cover of sheep-skin and gold let
ters upon purple ground, to entice her
wayward mind back to the paths of learn
ing.
At times too when the wild fit was upon
her, she would break into pertness and
bel openly against Alleyne's gentle firm
ness. Yet he would jog quietly on with his
teachings, taking heed to hec mutiny,
until suddenly she would be conquered by
his patience, and break into self-revilings a
hundred times stronger than her fault de-
manded 1t CHANGED, however, that, on one
of these mornings when the evil mood was
upon her Agatha the young tire-woman,
thinking to please her mistress, began also
to toss her head and make tart rejoinder
to the teachers questions. In an instant
the Lady Maude Fad turned upon her two
blazing eyes and face which was blanched
with anger.
You would dare"' said She You would
dare!''
The frightened 'tire-woman tried to excuse
herself
But, my fair lady" she stammered,
what have I done? 1 have said no mofe
than l heard
You would dare!" repeated the lady, in
choking voice You, graceless baggage
foolish fack-brain, with no thought above
the hemming of shifts. And he so kindly
and hendy, and long-suffering! You would
ha you may well fee the room!"
She had spoken with a rising voice and
clasping and opening of her long white
fingers, so that it was no marvel that ere
the speech was over the skirts of Agatha
were whisking round the door and the click
of her sobs to be heard dying swiftly away
down the corridor.
Alleyne stared. open-eyed, at this tigress
who had sprung so suddenly to his rescue.
There Is no need for such anger" he
said, mildly. 'The maids words have done
me no scath. 1t is you yourself who have
erred
Il know itv' she cried. 81 am a most
one should misuse you. Ma fol. 1 will see
that there is not a second ONE
Nay, nay. no one has lnisused me-" he
hot and bitter words. You have called her
baggage and lack-brain, and 1 know
not what"
the TRUTH" she cried. Now have spoken
it, and yet cannot please you. Lack-brain
she is. and lack-brain 1 shall call her."
Such was sample of the sudden jang-
nngS which marred the peace Of that little
class. AS the weeks passed, however, they
became fewer and less violent as Alleyne's
firm and constant nature gained sway and
influence over the Lady Maude. And vet.
sooth to say, there were times when he
had to ask himself whether IT was not the
Lady Maude who was gaining sway and in
fiuence over him. If she were Changing.
SO was he. In drawing her up from the
world he was day by day being himself
dragged down toward It, In vain he stroye
and reasoned with himself as to the mad
ness of letting his mind rest upon Sir Nj
gers daughter. What was he-a younger
son, penniless clerk, squire unable to
pay for his own harness-that he should
dare to raise his eyes to the fairest maid In
Hampshire? So spoke reason; but in spite
or all. her voice was ever in his ears and
her image in his heart. Stronger than rea-
son, stronger than cloister teachings.
stronger than all that might hold him back
was that old, old tyrant who will brook
no rival in the kingdom of youth.
And yet 1t was surprise and a shock to
himself to find how deeply she had entered
into his life; how completely those vague
ambitions and yearnings which had filled
his spiritual nature centered themselves
now upon this thing of earth He had
scarce dared to face the change which had
come upon him when few sudden chance