But overwonderful it is, that a great lady should be wedded to a gangrel churl." The Earl laughed: "Many a ferly fares to the fair-eyed," quoth he; "and also I will tell thee in thine ear that this Lady may not be so great as her name is great.

Did she praise her life-days to thee ?" "Nay," said Christopher; "I mind me well, she called herself the poor captive." "She said but sooth," quoth the Earl; "and her going away from Greenharbour is instead of her captivity; and I tell thee it is by that only I may make her joyous.

And now one word: thou that criest out For the Tofts in battle art not altogether unfriended, meseemeth." Christopher looked up proudly and fiercely: he said: "Forsooth, Lord, my friends are good, though thou callest them wolf-heads and gallows-meat." "Champion," said the Earl, laughing, "that may well be sooth; and there are a many ups and downs in the world.

Bethink thee that the time may come when thou and thy friends may wend to my help, and may win the names of knight and baron and earl: such hap hath been aforetime.

And now I crave of thee, when thou comest back to the Tofts, to bid Jack fall upon other lands than Meadham when he rideth, because of the gift and wedding that I give thee now.