Cowardice was his least fault.

He did not fear what might befall him in battle.

Whether he would be barred out from the lists was the terrible question which darkened the bright morning already verging towards noon.

He had charged Els with perfidy in the presence of others, and thereby exposed her, the plighted bride of a knight, to the utmost scorn.

And besides--fool that he was!--his brothers had again attacked a train of waggons on the highway and would soon be called to account as robbers.