Twice he hadmet the man whom he took to be Sir John
Norreys.
While thelatter drank his dish noisily, she looked
curiously at Alastair.
He was curious to discover if SirJohn had yet
greeted his lady. The food, I take it, is at thediscretion of the landlady, but the
wine shall be at yours.
Oh, I am heartily glad to knowthe truth, for though
I have used him much I have had my misgivings.
See that you entreathim well and do his biddings as
if they were my own. Theres a famous gentleman cominghere to-night. He led them to a
pit where a fire burned between three stones and akettle bubbled.
I am of the old religion, he said, and loyalty to
my king is oneof its articles. Nay, sheis the most qualitied lady I have ever seen.
I journey slowly for I have had mischances. We cannot have our new cousin moping in
a public hostel onher first visit to us. A flock of plovers which circled over
oneheath proved to be not green but golden. Why should he, Alastair reflected, since
hiscreed forswore all common loyalties? She is happy, I think, he said, and repeated
the phrase threetimes.
When he arrives pray give him a message from me.
Oh, I am heartily glad to knowthe truth, for though I have used him much I have had
my misgivings.
So also did I, and he told her the story of Gypsy
Ben and hismornings hunt. I am a plain soldier, he said, and but fulfil my
orders.
Bennet will give you aglass of ale, but see you do
not dally over it.
A good mind in such a one is a greater credit
thanwith those who are witty for a livelihood. We cannot have our new cousin moping
in a public hostel onher first visit to us.
The anger in her voicehad been replaced by
eagerness at this new thought. Puffin, she cried, are you honest on our
side?
I am of the old religion, he said, and loyalty to
my king is oneof its articles. He may be poor, but he has high duties andexacts a
fine reverence.
I am curious to know the reason of your
faith.
He may be poor, but he has high duties andexacts a
fine reverence. We are nearing the hills, he said, but Brightwell is far up thelong
valleys. Job it must be, for thesnow is fairly come.
Others have some perpetual weakness of mind or
someagonising pain. Yet the taste can be defended, said Alastair.
The bird dropped closer to earth, and showed itself
as neithersparrow-hawk nor kestrel, but merlin. For myself Iwant a horse, friend
Tappet, for snow or no I must sleep in thenext shire. Have you the wherewithal,or
must we go back to your wife? Hehad no doubt it was Sir John and he chuckled at the
chance whichFortune had offered him. My wealthis less than a crown and, unless I beg
my way, I see not how I canreturn to Chastlecote. See that you entreathim well and
do his biddings as if they were my own.