VII
A FAVOR LOST
When De Lacy, armed for the road, sought his host the following morningto say farewell, he found him in an easy chair near the fireplace inthe hall, with his wounded leg resting on a stool, and the answer toGloucester's letter in his hand. The old Knight made as though toarise, but the younger quickly placed his hand upon his shoulder andheld him firm in his seat.
"Not so, Sir John," he insisted. "Do you remain quiet; I know the wayto the courtyard."
"It grieves me sore that you cannot stay with me longer," said De Bury,allowing himself to be persuaded. "Yet I hope that we shall soon meetagain. Craigston Castle is ever ready to receive you."
"And it shall have the chance, I assure you, when I am again in theseparts--though our next meeting is likely to be in London; His Gracewill scarce soon return to the North."
"Mayhap," replied Sir John; "but for the present, my wound and myduties keep me here. And, to speak truly, I am not unwilling; when youhave reached my age, Sir Aymer, you will care little for the emptysplendor of the Court--and that reminds me: you may meet there myniece, the Countess of Clare, and if you do--verily, you have met her,"as De Lacy smiled, "and have been stricken like the rest. Beware, myson, your corselet is no protection against the shafts of a woman'seyes."
"In truth, I know it," De Lacy laughed. "I have met the Countessand . . . it is needless to say more. Yet it was at Pontefract and notat Windsor that I saw her. She is with the Duchess of Gloucester."
"In sooth! . . . And you are with the Duke of Gloucester," said DeBury, with a shrewd smile. "It is either fortune most rare or fatemost drear. By St. Luke! I believe the debt has shifted and that youshould thank me for having had the opportunity to save her uncle'slife. Nay, I did but jest," he added hastily. "You have seen many aface, doubtless, in sunny France fairer far than hers; yet is she verydear to me and winning to my old eyes. Should you see her as you passPontefract--if you return that way--say to her that I am here, and thata short visit from her would be very welcome."
"It may be that the Duchess has left the castle," replied Aymer, "butyour message shall reach the Countess."
"Best deliver it in person," said Sir John, kindly.
"Trust me for that," De Lacy answered--"and now farewell."
"A most gallant youth," said De Bury, when Sir Aymer was gone, "and ofthe right fighting stock; yet, if I mistake not, that sweet niece ofmine is likely to make trouble for him."
The shorter route to London was by Sheffield, but De Lacy chose to goby way of Pontefract. It would, of course, bring him upon the mainhighway between York and London further North than by the Sheffieldroad; yet he took the chance of the Duke being delayed an extra day atYork, in which event he would be able to await him at Doncaster, andjoin him at that place instead of at Nottingham.
It was still wanting something of noon when the low white walls ofKirkstall glinted before them. De Lacy rode steadily on, however,nodding pleasantly to the porter, who was standing in the gateway, butdeclining his invitation to enter. It was better, he thought, thatAbbot Aldam should have no opportunity to question his men as to theirdestination of yesterday. When they reached the banks of Aire, heordered a short halt; then swinging again into saddle, they splashedthrough the clear waters and breasting the opposite bank resumed themarch at a rapid walk. Presently a body of horsemen hove in sight and,as they approached, De Lacy eyed them carefully. They were less than adozen in number, and though they displayed no banner, yet the sungleamed from steel head-pieces and chamfrons. The man in front,however, was plainly not in armor and his horse was strangely small.Then, as the distance was reduced, the horse became an ass and therider the Abbot of Kirkstall.
"You travel early, Lord Abbot," said Aymer, as they met and halted.
"It is of our calling, my son. Religion knows no night. But you alsomust have risen early--on your way to the Coronation--Deo volente?"with a quizzical smile.
"As fast as horse will carry me."
"Perchance you may overtake the Duke of Gloucester; he left Yorkto-day, I believe."
"He has rather a long start, methinks, for a stern chase," repliedAymer.
"Six hundred men move not so quickly as twelve, my son," said the monk."Indeed, you might come up with him at Nottingham," he added carelessly.
"Peradventure, yes--Deo volente," wondering how much the Abbot knew ofthe matter and how much was shrewd conjecture. "But will not yourreverence attend the Coronation? There is sure to be a brave array ofchurchmen there."
"No doubt," returned the Abbot; "but I care little for such gay scenesor for the intrigues of the Court. A country priest has no trainingfor such traps. However, I trust we shall soon meet again; and,meanwhile, Kirkstall's gates are always open to you. _Pax vobiscum_."
"Hypocritical liar," muttered De Lacy, when the two troops had passed."I would think twice ere I trusted myself in your power if I chanced tobe an obstacle to your schemes. Giles, what think you of yon Abbot?"
"He is much of his kind and I like not the breed," replied Dauvrey."Methinks he resembles rather his brethren of Italy than those I haveseen in this land of mist and fog. He has been meddling with us, Iwarrant."
The Knight laughed.
"He has shown a most Christian solicitude for us, at all events," hesaid.
When De Lacy drew rein before the barbican of Pontefract, there was noneed to wind horn to gain entrance, for the drawbridge was down andLord Darby, with a score of attendants, was just departing.
"Now what in Satan's name brought him back?" Aymer muttered--though heknew the answer well enough. Then he raised his hand in salute. "Igive you greeting, my lord," he said.
And Darby was even less pleased, for he was going and De Lacy wascoming; but he, too, masked his face, and gave the welcome back in kind.
"Methought you would be with the Duke," he observed, drawing aside tolet his men pass.
"And methought you were by now in London," De Lacy returned.
Darby smiled at the evasion. "Are you not for the Coronation?" heasked bluntly.
De Lacy nodded. "Indeed, yes--unless I am untowardly prevented."
"If you fare further to-day," said Darby, "I will wait and we can ridetogether to Doncaster--a short delay will be well repaid by yourcompany."
It was but a play to know if De Lacy intended to stay the night atPontefract, and it got its answer instantly.
"Your Lordship tempts me sorely," said Sir Aymer, "but I am obliged toremain here until the morrow." Then he smiled blandly at him; "it isunfortunate you have already started," he added.
Darby's black eyes brightened.
"Yes," said he, "it is."
He glanced quickly toward his escort, which was now at the foot of thehill, and laid his hand upon his bugle, as though to sound therecall--then he gave a mocking laugh.
"The luck is yours, this toss," he said; and with a wave of his hand,that might have been as much a menace as a farewell, he spurred away.
There were no faces at the windows as De Lacy crossed the courtyard,and he despatched a page to acquaint the Countess of Clare of hisarrival and of his desire for a short interview. Presently the boyreturned with the information that the Countess was with the Duchess,and that she could not see him before evening.
He sought the presence chamber at the usual hour, but it was deserted;and after waiting a short while he was on the point of leaving when thearras suddenly parted and the Countess entered.
"I am glad to see you," she said, giving him her hand, "even though youare a laggard and a thief."
"Why laggard?" De Lacy asked.
"Because you should be with the Duke and not here."
"Granted," said he. "Did you call Lord Darby laggard, too?"
"You will have to ask him; I do not now remember."
"I passed him at the gate, and from his temper I might guess you calledhim even worse."
"At least I know I did not dub him thief." Then she held out her hand."The k
erchief," she said peremptorily.
De Lacy slowly drew forth the bit of lace.
"Rather would I lose a quartering," he said very gently, "yet, inhonor, I may not keep it against your will."
"And honor," said she seriously, as she took the kerchief, "is dearerfar than all our quarterings. . . What brings you back to Pontefract?"
"You," said De Lacy, smilingly.
"Of course! but what else?--be serious."
"I am serious. But for you I would be riding fast and hard after theDuke. I stopped at Pontefract for two purposes; of which, one was todeliver to you a message from that gallant Knight, Sir John de Bury."
"My uncle!" she exclaimed. "He is in Scotland."
De Lacy shook his head. "He is now at Craigston Castle, whence I havejust come, and bring you his loving greetings."
"The dear old man! How is he?"
"As strong as an oak, save for a slight wound."
"Wounded! How--where?" she demanded, with sharp concern.
"Only a sword thrust in the thigh, got in a skirmish with some brigandsabout this hour yesterday," said De Lacy; and told her the story of thefray in detail.
At the end the Countess arose.
"I must go now," she said. "The Duchess will need me; but first, tellme the other purpose that halted you here."
"The other," replied De Lacy slowly, "has been accomplished."
She looked at him questioningly.
"How so, if it were on my account you tarried?"
Aymer smiled.
"That I shall leave for you to guess," he said.
To his amazement the Countess did not reprove him, but blushed andlooked away.
He bent eagerly toward her.
"My lady," he said, "in all the years I have worn spurs, I have yet toask gage of woman. To-morrow I fare where there may be fightingsenough, as you well know. Grant me, I pray, some token, and let myfirst sword stroke in England be as your Knight."
"Did you strike no blow yesterday?" she asked.
"None of which a soldier may be proud--it was but a lot of _canaille_."
For a moment the Countess looked him steadily in the eyes--thenanswered in those tones of finality from which he knew there lay noappeal.
"Sir Aymer, you ask for that which no man has ever had from me. Manytimes--and I say it without pride--has it been sought by Knights mostworthy; yet to them all have I ever given nay. Beatrix de Beaumontbestows nor gage nor favor until she plight her troth."
With a smile, whose sweetness De Lacy long remembered in after days,she gave him her hand, and he bent low over it and touched it to hislips. Then suddenly she whisked it from him and was gone behind thearras.
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