close on his track, swiftly sped towards

Winton.

CHAP. II.

Another! and another! and another!

MILTON.

A new Mistress and a fickle Lover.

WHEN the lord De Lacy sprang from his steed, and entered the hall of Winton Castle, it was with a bearing even more lofty than his wont. De Garennes and his guest were seated at the upper end of the board, with each a capacious goblet near him; and if the vast streams of wine which were spilt in all directions implied aught, they had not left them long unused.

The aspect of the hall of Winton was little alluring to De Lacy, when compared with that which but a few hours previously he had quitted: there he had

seen the noontide banquet spread, in all the profusion of feudal hospitality; here he beheld the termination of an evening repast, dimly revealed by scanty and illfashioned lamps. But the heart of the young noble was too buoyant at this hour to render the exchange irritating to him; and as he returned the greeting of De Carteny, he shouted-" And truly ye are doughty wassallers, who have filled no goblet for Gualtier De Lacy."

"There is no lack of drinking-horns," said De Garennes. "Sir knave, a cup wine for the lord De Lacy."

of

The attendant to whom the veteran Gaul had spoken, placed before the lord Gualtier a full goblet, which, when he had drained, he replaced on the board, exclaiming" Marry, my good De Garennes, I lack also wherewithal to appease hunger, for I have had a long fast, and have eaten nothing since my morning meal."

"Go to!" cried the elder Gaul; " and you are just from the land of wassal and

revelry! Were your host De Rossenville to hear you tell that tale, meseems he would be but little pleasured."

66

Pity it were," said De Lacy, with a scornful, though somewhat conscious smile," to displeasure the lord of Sarum."

"Now would I wage my trusty breastguard," cried De Carteny, "that you have parted coldly with the knight, De Lacy."

"Then your breast-guard were a forfeit pledge," replied the lord Gualtier. "Marry, we touched palms at parting; and I know not who cried the 'God guard you!' to his fellow with a better grace. In sooth, Auffray De Carteny, the halls of De Rossenville are yet open to me; and I look to revisit them ere long."

“And his daughter," said the lord Auffray, "is she as fair as men report

her ?"

"Doubtless she is fair," replied De Lacy; "but for me, I favour her not: her eyes have no light; and her hair-locks have a rude ruddy tinge. Truly she is tall, and of good presence, but withal is

unskilful in the adjustment of her mantle."

66

By my first field!" exclaimed De Garennes, indignantly, "it is fitting thus to hear a warrior meting out the beauties of a woman by the rule, as though he knew not to scan aught save the countenance of a love-sick damsel!"

There were moments when De Lacy would have resented the unglossed taunt of the honest warrior, but his feelings were all strung on too pleasing a chord by hope, to suffer him to brawl for a rough phrase; and he was about to reply, with a jest, when the lord Auffray exclaimed

By the mass, it is well, De Lacy, that the lady of Rossenville has not won you to her tapestry-frame, for there is a fair dame at court who would little favour her prowess."

66

If, my lord De Carteny, you glance at the lady Eulelia" commenced De Lacy, with a rising frown.

"Why, you have indeed wrought bravely, if there be yet another!" cried the lord Auffray. "But, in very truth, of this

lady Eulelia I knew nothing; it was the ladye of Northumberland I glanced at.”

66

The ladye of Northumberland !” echoed De Lacy.

66

Ay, marry, my lord, the ladye of Northumberland! beshrew me, but the fair dame looks beyond her widowhood to a second bridal, and deems the heart of De Lacy meeter dwelling than the tomb of the Saxon Waltheof."

"The lady of Northumberland," murmured the lord Gualtier, rather uttering the thoughts which thronged his brain, than addressing himself to either of the nobles, "is daughter to the earl of Lens, and niece to the king."

"In very truth, it is even so," interposed De Garennes; " and withal a

shrew."

"I pray you, my lord," cried De Lacy, starting from his seat, and striking his hand on his weapon-hilt, "utter the name of the ladye Judith with all gentleness, and as it befits a noble to hearken to, or,