She will, I am sure, acquit me of parting with her gift when I tell her that I transferred it to one who had saved the lives of myself and my daughter, and who was too proud to accept other acknowledgment." Colouring deeply, and with tears in his eyes at the kindness and thoughtful consideration of the lady, Walter knelt on one knee before her, and she placed round his neck the long gold chain which she had been wearing.
"It is a knight's chain," the lady said, smiling, "and was part of the spoil gained by King Edward from the French.

Maybe," she added kindly, "it will be worn by a knight again.

Stranger things have happened, you know." Walter flushed again with pleasure.
"Maybe, lady," he said modestly, "even apprentices have their dreams, and men-at-arms may always hope, by deeds of valour, to attain a knight's spurs even though they may not be of noble blood or have served as page and squire to a baron; but whether as a 'prentice or soldier, I hope I shall never do discredit to your gift." "Edith, come here," Dame Vernon said, "I have done talking now.

And what are you going to give this brave knight of ours who saved us from drowning." The girl looked thoughtfully at Walter.

"I don't think you would care for presents," she said; "and you look as if a sword or a horse would suit you better than a girl's gift.