Nigel’sfairfaceflushed。”Nay，DameErmyntrude，Imustfindmyowngear，evenasIhavefoundmyownhorse，forIhadratherrideintobattleinthistunicthanowemysuittoanother。”
“Ifearedthatyouwouldsayso，Nigel;butindeedIknownothowelsewemaygetthemoney，“saidtheoldwomansadly。”Itwasdifferentinthedaysofmyfather。Icanrememberthatasuitofmailwasbutasmallmatterinthosedays，forineveryEnglishtownsuchthingscouldbemade。Butyearbyyearsincemenhavecometotakemorecareoftheirbodies，therehavebeenaddedaplateofproofhereandacunningjointthere，andallmustbefromToledoorMilan，sothataknightmusthavemuchmetalinhispurseereheputsanyonhislimbs。”
Nigellookedupwistfullyattheoldarmorwhichwasslungonthebeamsabovehim。”Theashspearisgood，“saidhe，“andsoistheoakenshieldwithfacingsofsteel。SirRogerFitzAlanhandledthemandsaidthathehadneverseenbetter。Butthearmor-“
LadyErmyntrudeshookheroldheadandlaughed。”Youhaveyourfather’sgreatsoul，Nigel，butyouhavenothismightybreadthofshoulderandlengthoflimb。TherewasnotinalltheKing’sgreathostatallerorastrongerman。Hisharnesswouldbelittleusetoyou。No，fairson，Iredeyouthatwhenthetimecomesyousellthiscrumblinghouseandthefewacreswhicharestillleft，andsogoforthtothewarsinthehopethatwithyourownrighthandyouwillplantthefortunesofanewhouseofLoring。”
AshadowofangerpassedoverNigel’sfreshyoungface。”Iknownotifwemayholdoffthesemonksandtheirlawyersmuchlonger。
ThisverydaytherecameamanfromGuildfordwithclaimsfromtheAbbeyextendingbackbeforemyfather’sdeath。”
“Wherearethey，fairson？”
“Theyareflappingonthefurze-bushesofHankley，forIsenthispapersandparchmentsdownwindasfastaseverfalconflew。”`
“Nay！，youweremadtodothat，Nigel。Andtheman，whereishe？”
“RedSwireandoldGeorgethearcherthrewhimintotheThursleybog。”
“Alas！，Ifearmesuchthingscannotbedoneinthesedays，thoughmyfatherormyhusbandwouldhavesenttherascalbacktoGuildfordwithouthisears。ButtheChurchandtheLawaretoostrongnowforuswhoareofgentlerblood。Troublewillcomeofit，Nigel，fortheAbbotofWaverleyisnotonewhowillholdbacktheshieldoftheChurchfromthosewhoareherservants。”
“TheAbbotwouldnothurtus。Itisthatgrayleanwolfofasacristwhohungersforourland。Lethimdohisworst。Ifearhimnot。”
“Hehassuchanengineathisback，Nigel，thateventhebravestmustfearhim。Thebanwhichblastsaman’ssoulisinthekeepingofhischurch，andwhathavewetoplaceagainstit？，I
prayyoutospeakhimfair，Nigel。”
“Nay，dearlady，itisbothmydutyandmypleasuretodowhatyoubidme;butIwoulddieereIaskasafavorthatwhichwecanclaimasaright。NevercanIcastmyeyesfromyonderwindowthatIdonotseetheswellingdown-landsandtherichmeadows，gladeanddingle，copseandwood，whichhavebeenourssinceNorman-WilliamgavethemtothatLoringwhoborehisshieldatSenlac。Now，bytrickandfraud，theyhavepassedawayfromus，andmanyafranklinisarichermanthanI;butnevershallitbesaidthatIsavedtherestbybendingmynecktotheiryoke。Letthemdotheirworst，andletmeendureitorfightitasbestI
may。”
Theoldladysighedandshookherhead。”YouspeakasaLoringshould，andyetIfearthatsomegreattroublewillbefallus。
Butletustalknomoreofsuchmatters，sincewecannotmendthem。Whereisyourcitole，Nigel？，Willyounotplayandsingtome？”
Thegentlemanofthosedayscouldscarcereadandwrite;buthespokeintwolanguages，playedatleastonemusicalinstrumentasamatterofcourse，andpossessedanumberofotheraccomplishments，fromtheimpingofhawk’sfeathers，tothemysteryofvenery，withknowledgeofeverybeastandbird，itstimeofgraceandwhenitwasseasonable。Asfarasphysicalfeatswent，tovaultbarebackeduponahorse，tohitarunningharewithacrossbow-bolt，ortoclimbtheangleofacastlecourtyard，werefeatswhichhadcomebynaturetotheyoungSquire;butitwasverydifferentwithmusic，whichhadcalledformanyawearyhourofirksomework。Nowatlasthecouldmasterthestrings，butbothhisearandhisvoicewerenotofthebest，sothatitwaswellperhapsthattherewassosmallandsounprejudicedanaudiencetotheNorman-Frenchchanson，whichhesanginahighreedyvoicewithgreatearnestnessoffeeling，butwithmanyaslipandquaver，wavinghisyellowheadincadencetothemusic：
Asword！，Asword！，Ah，givemeasword！
Fortheworldisalltowin。
Thoughthewaybehardandthedoorbebarred，Thestrongmanentersin。
IfChanceandFatestillholdthegate，Givemetheironkey，Andturrethighmyplumeshallfly，Oryoumayweepforme！
Ahorse！，Ahorse！，Ah，givemeahorse！
Tobearmeoutafar，WhereblackestneedandgrimmestdeedAndsweetestperilsare。
HoldthoumywaysfromglutteddaysWherepoisonedleisurelies，AndpointthepathoftearsandwrathWhichmountstohighemprise！
Aheart！，Aheart！，Ah，givemeaheartTorisetocircumstance！
SereneandhighandboldtotryThehazardofthechance，Withstrengthtowait，butfixedasfateToplananddareanddo，Thepeerofall，andonlythrall，Sweetladymine，toyou！
Itmayhavebeenthatthesentimentwentformorethanthemusic，oritmayhavebeenthenicetyofherownearshadbeendulledbyage，butoldDameErmyntrudeclappedherleanhandstogetherandcriedoutinshrillapplause。
“Weathercotehasindeedhadanaptpupil！”shesaid。”Iprayyouthatyouwillsingagain。”
“Nay，deardame，itisturnandturnbetwixtyouandme。Ibegthatyouwillrecitearomance，youwhoknowthemall。ForalltheyearsthatIhavelistenedIhaveneveryetcometotheendofthem，andIdareswearthattherearemoreinyourheadthaninallthegreatbookswhichtheyshowedmeatGuildfordCastle。I
wouldfainhear`DoonofMayence，’or`TheSongofRoland，’or`SirIsumbras。’“
Sotheolddamebrokeintoalongpoem，slowanddullintheinception，butquickeningastheinterestgrew，untilwithdartinghandsandglowingfaceshepouredforththeverseswhichtoldoftheemptinessofsordidlife，thebeautyofheroicdeath，thehighsacrednessofloveandthebondageofhonor。Nigel，withset，stillfeaturesandbroodingeyes，drankinthefierywords，untilatlasttheydiedupontheoldwoman’slipsandshesankbackwearyinherchair。
Nigelstoopedoverherandkissedherbrow。”Yourwordswilleverbeasastaruponmypath，“saidhe。Then，carryingoverthesmalltableandthechessmen，heproposedthattheyshouldplaytheirusualgamebeforetheysoughttheirroomsforthenight。
Butasuddenandrudeinterruptionbrokeinupontheirgentlecontest。Adogprickeditsearsandbarked。Theothersrangrowlingtothedoor。Andthentherecameasharpclashofarms，adullheavyblowasfromacluborsword-pommel，andadeepvoicefromwithoutsummonedthemtoopenintheKing’sname。TheolddameandNigelhadbothsprungtotheirfeet，theirtableoverturnedandtheirchessmenscatteredamongtherushes。Nigel’shandhadsoughthiscrossbow，buttheLadyErmyntrudegraspedhisarm。
“Nay，fairson！，HaveyounotheardthatitisintheKing’sname？”saidshe。”Down，Talbot！，Down，Bayard！！，Openthedoorandlethismessengerin！”
Nigelundidthebolt，andtheheavywoodendoorswungoutwarduponitshinges。Thelightfromtheflaringcressetsbeatuponsteelcapsandfiercebeardedfaces，withtheglimmerofdrawnswordsandtheyellowgleamofbowstaves。Adozenarmedarchersforcedtheirwayintotheroom。AttheirheadwerethegauntsacristofWaverleyandastoutelderlymancladinaredvelvetdoubletandbreechesmuchstainedandmottledwithmudandclay。Heboreagreatsheetofparchmentwithafringeofdanglingseals，whichheheldaloftasheentered。
“IcallonNigelLoring！”hecried。”I，theofficeroftheKing’slawandthelaysummonerofWaverley，calluponthemannamedNigelLoring！”
“Iamhe。”
“Yes，itishe！”criedthesacrist。”Archers，doasyouwereordered！”
Inaninstantthebandthrewthemselvesuponhimlikethehoundsonastag。DesperatelyNigelstrovetogainhisswordwhichlayupontheironcoffer。Withtheconvulsivestrengthwhichcomesfromthespiritratherthanfromthebody，heborethemallinthatdirection，butthesacristsnatchedtheweaponfromitsplace，andtherestdraggedthewrithingSquiretothegroundandswathedhiminacord。
“Holdhimfast，goodarchers！，Keepastoutgriponhim！”criedthesummoner。”Iprayyou，oneofyou，prickoffthesegreatdogswhichsnarlatmyheels。Standoff，Isay，inthenameoftheKing！，Watkin，comebetwixtmeandthesecreatureswhohaveaslittleregardforthelawastheirmaster。”
Oneofthearcherskickedoffthefaithfuldogs。ButtherewereothersofthehouseholdwhowereequallyreadytoshowtheirteethindefenseoftheoldhouseofLoring。FromthedoorwhichledtotheirquartersthereemergedthepitifulmusterofNigel’sthreadbareretainers。Therewasatimewhentenknights，fortymen-at-armsandtwohundredarcherswouldmarchbehindthescarletroses。Nowatthislastrallywhentheyoungheadofthehouselayboundinhisownhall，theremusteredathiscallthepageCharleswithacudgel，Johnthecookwithhislongestspit，RedSwiretheagedman-at-armswithaformidableaxswungoverhissnowyhead，andWeathercotetheminstrelwithaboar-spear。Yetthismotleyarraywasfiredwiththespiritofthehouse，andundertheleadofthefierceoldsoldiertheywouldcertainlyhaveflungthemselvesuponthereadyswordsofthearchers，hadtheLadyErmyntrudenotsweptbetweenthem：
“Standback，Swire！”shecried。”Back，WeathercoteCharles，putaleashonTalbot，andholdBayardback！”Herblackeyesblazedupontheinvadersuntiltheyshrankfromthatbalefulgaze。”Whoareyou，yourascalrobbers，whodaretomisusetheKing’snameandtolayhandsupononewhosesmallestdropofbloodhasmoreworththanallyourthrallandcaitiffbodies？”
“Nay，notsofast，dame，notsofast，Iprayyou！”criedthestoutsummoner，whosefacehadresumeditsnaturalcolor，nowthathehadawomantodealwith。”ThereisalawofEngland，markyou，andtherearethosewhoserveandupholdit，whoarethetruemenandtheKing’sownlieges。SuchaoneamI。Thenagain，therearethosewhotakesuchasmeandtransfer，carryorconveyusintoabogormorass。Suchaoneisthisgracelessoldmanwiththeax，whomIhaveseenalreadythisday。Therearealsothosewhotear，destroyorscatterthepapersofthelaw，ofwhichthisyoungmanisthechief。Therefore，Iwouldredeyou，dame，nottorailagainstus，buttounderstandthatwearetheKing’smenontheKing’sownservice。”
“Whatthenisyourerrandinthishouseatthishourofthenight？”
Thesummonerclearedhisthroatpompously，andturninghisparchmenttothelightofthecressetshereadoutalongdocumentinNorman-French，couchedinsuchastyleandsuchalanguagethatthemostinvolvedandfoolishofourformsweresimplicityitselfcomparedtothosebywhichthemenofthelonggownmadeamysteryofthatwhichofallthingsonearthshouldbetheplainestandthemostsimple。DespairfellcolduponNigel’sheartandblanchedthefaceoftheolddameastheylistenedtothedreadcatalogueofclaimsandsuitsandissues，questionsofpeccaryandturbary，ofhouse-boteandfire-bote，whichendedbyademandforallthelands，hereditaments，tenements，messuagesandcurtilages，whichmadeuptheirworldlyall。
Nigel，stillbound，hadbeenplacedwithhisbackagainsttheironcoffer，whenceheheardwithdrylipsandmoistbrowthisdoomofhishouse。Nowhebrokeinontherecitalwithavehemencewhichmadethesummonerjump：
“Youshallruewhatyouhavedonethisnight！”hecried。”Poorasweare，wehaveourfriendswhowillnotseeuswronged，andI
willpleadmycausebeforetheKing’sownmajestyatWindsor，thathe，whosawthefatherdie，mayknowwhatthingsaredoneinhisroyalnameagainsttheson。ButthesemattersaretobesettledincourseoflawintheKing’scourts，andhowwillyouexcuseyourselfforthisassaultuponmyhouseandperson？”
“Nay，thatisanothermatter，“saidthesacrist。”Thequestionofdebtmayindeedbeanaffairofacivilcourt。ButitisacrimeagainstthelawandanactoftheDevil，whichcomeswithinthejurisdictionoftheAbbeyCourtofWaverleywhenyoudaretolayhandsuponthesummonerorhispapers。”
“Indeed，hespeakstruth，“criedtheofficial。”Iknownoblackersin。”
“Therefore，“saidthesternmonk，“itistheorderoftheholyfatherAbbotthatyousleepthisnightintheAbbeycell，andthatto-morrowyoubebroughtbeforehimatthecourtheldinthechapter-housesothatyoureceivethefitpunishmentforthisandthemanyotherviolentandfrowarddeedswhichyouhavewroughtupontheservantsofHolyChurch。Enoughisnowsaid，worthymastersummoner。Archers，removeyourprisoner！”
AsNigelwasliftedupbyfourstoutarchers，theDameErmyntrudewouldhaverushedtohisaid，butthesacristthrustherback。
“Standoff，proudwoman！，Letthelawtakeitscourse，andlearntohumbleyourheartbeforethepowerofHolyChurch。Hasyourlifenottaughtitslesson，you，whosehornwasexaltedamongthehighestandwillsoonnothavearoofaboveyourgrayhairs？
Standback，Isay，lestIlayacurseuponyou！”
Theolddameflamedsuddenlyintowhitewrathasshestoodbeforetheangrymonk：“ListentomewhileIlayacurseuponyouandyours！”shecriedassheraisedhershriveledarmsandblightedhimwithherflashingeyes，“AsyouhavedonetothehouseofLoring，somayGoddotoyou，untilyourpowerissweptfromthelandofEngland，andofyourgreatAbbeyofWaverleythereisnothingleftbutapileofgraystonesinagreenmeadow！，Iseeit！，Iseeit！，WithmyoldeyesIseeit！，FromsculliontoAbbotandfromcellartotower，mayWaverleyandallwithinitdroopandwitherfromthisnighton！”
Themonk，hardashewas，quailedbeforethefranticfigureandthebitter，burningwords。Alreadythesummonerandthearcherswiththeirprisonerwereclearofthehouse。Heturnedandwithaclangheshuttheheavydoorbehindhim。
V。HOWNIGELWASTRIEDBYTHEABBOTOFWAVERLEY
ThelawoftheMiddleAges，shroudedasitwasinoldNorman-Frenchdialect，andaboundinginuncouthandincomprehensibleterms，indeodandsandheriots，ininfangandoutfang，wasafearsomeweaponinthehandsofthosewhoknewhowtouseit。ItwasnotfornothingthatthefirstactoftherebelcommonerswastohewofftheheadoftheLordChancellor。Inanagewhenfewknewhowtoreadortowrite，thesemysticphrasesandintricateforms，withtheparchmentsandsealswhichweretheiroutwardexpression，struckcoldterrorintoheartswhichweresteeledagainstmerephysicaldanger。
EvenyoungNigelLoring’sblitheandelasticspiritwaschilledashelaythatnightinthepenalcellofWaverleyandponderedovertheabsoluteruinwhichthreatenedhishousefromasourceagainstwhichallhiscouragewasofnoavail。Aswelltakeupswordandshieldtodefendhimselfagainsttheblackdeath，asagainstthisblightofHolyChurch。HewaspowerlessinthegripoftheAbbey。
Alreadytheyhadshornoffafieldhereandagrovethere，andnowinonesweeptheywouldtakeintherest，andwherethenwasthehomeoftheLorings，andwhereshouldLadyErmyntrudelayheragedhead，orhisoldretainers，brokenandspent，ekeoutthebalanceoftheirdays？，Heshiveredashethoughtofit。
ItwasverywellforhimtothreatentocarrythematterbeforetheKing，butitwasyearssinceroyalEdwardhadheardthenameofLoring，andNigelknewthatthememoryofprinceswasashortone。Besides，theChurchwastherulingpowerinthepalaceaswellasinthecottage，anditwasonlyforverygoodcausethataKingcouldbeexpectedtocrossthepurposesofsohighaprelateastheAbbotofWaverley，aslongastheycamewithinthescopeofthelaw。Wherethenwashetolookforhelp？，Withthesimpleandpracticalpietyoftheage，heprayedfortheaidofhisownparticularsaints：ofSaintPaul，whoseadventuresbylandandsea;hadalwaysendearedhim;ofSaintGeorge，whohadgainedmuchhonorableadvancementfromtheDragon;andofSaintThomas，whowasagentlemanofcoat-armor，whowouldunderstandandhelpapersonofgentleblood。Then，muchcomfortedbyhisnaiveorisonsheenjoyedthesleepofyouthandhealthuntiltheentranceofthelaybrotherwiththebreadandsmallbeer，whichservedasbreakfast，inthemorning。
TheAbbeycourtsatinthechapter-houseatthecanonicalhouroftierce，whichwasnineintheforenoon。Atalltimesthefunctionwasasolemnone，evenwhentheculpritmightbeavillainwhowastakenpoachingontheAbbeyestate，orachapmanwhohadgivenfalsemeasurefromhisbiasedscales。Butnow，whenamanofnoblebirthwastobetried，thewholelegalandecclesiasticalceremonywascarriedoutwitheverydetail，grotesqueorimpressive，whichthefullritualprescribed。ThedistantrollofchurchmusicandtheslowtollingoftheAbbeybell;thewhite-
robedbrethren，twoandtwo，walkedthriceroundthehallsingingthe“Benedicite“andthe“Veni，Creator“beforetheysettledintheirplacesatthedesksoneitherside。TheninturneachhighofficeroftheAbbeyfrombelowupward，thealmoner，thelector，thechaplain，thesubpriorandtheprior，swepttotheirwontedplaces。
Finallytherecamethegrimsacrist，withdemuretriumphuponhisdowncastfeatures，andathisheelsAbbotJohnhimself，slowanddignified，withpompouswalkandsolemn，composedface，hisiron-beadedrosaryswingingfromhiswaist，hisbreviaryinhishand，andhislipsmutteringashehurriedthroughhisofficefortheday。Hekneltathishighpre-dieu;thebrethren，atasignalfromtheprior，prostratedthemselvesuponthefloor，andthelowdeepvoicesrolledinprayer，echoedbackfromthearchedandvaultedrooflikethewashofwavesfromanoceancavern。Finallythemonksresumedtheirseats;thereenteredclerksinseemlyblackwithpensandparchment;thered-velvetedsummonerappearedtotellhistale;Nigelwasledinwitharcherspressingclosearoundhim;andthen，withmuchcallingofoldFrenchandmuchlegalincantationandmystery，thecourtoftheAbbeywasopenforbusiness。
Itwasthesacristwhofirstadvancedtotheoakendeskreservedforthewitnessesandexpoundedinhard，dry，mechanicalfashionthemanyclaimswhichtheHouse，ofWaverleyhadagainstthefamilyofLoring。SomegenerationsbackinreturnformoneyadvancedorforspiritualfavorreceivedtheLoringofthedayhadadmittedthathisestatehadcertainfeudaldutiestowardtheAbbey。Thesacristheldupthecracklingyellowparchmentwithswingingleadensealsonwhichtheclaimwasbased。Amidtheobligationswasthatofescuage，bywhichthepriceofaknight’sfeeshouldbepaideveryyear。Nosuchpricehadbeenpaid，norhadanyservicebeendone。Theaccumulatedyearscamenowtoagreatersumthanthefeesimpleoftheestate。Therewereotherclaimsalso。Thesacristcalledforhisbooks，andwiththin，eagerforefingerhetrackedthemdown：duesforthis，andtailageforthat，somanyshillingsthisyear，andsomanymarksthatone。
SomeofitoccurredbeforeNigelwasborn;someofitwhenhewasbutachild。Theaccountshadbeencheckedandcertifiedbythesergeantofthelaw。
Nigellistenedtothedreadrecital，andfeltlikesomeyoungstagwhostandsatbaywithbraveposeandheartoffire，butwhoseeshimselfcompassedroundandknowsclearlythatthereisnoescape。
Withhisboldyoungface，hissteadyblueeyes，andtheproudpoiseofhishead，hewasaworthyscionoftheoldhouse，andthesun，shiningthroughthehighorielwindow，andshowingupthestainedandthreadbareconditionofhisoncerichdoublet，seemedtoilluminatethefallenfortunesofhisfamily。
Thesacristhadfinishedhisexposition，andthesergeant-at-lawwasabouttoconcludeacasewhichNigelcouldinnowaycontrovert，whenhelpcametohimfromanunexpectedquarter。Itmayhavebeenacertainmalignitywithwhichthesacristurgedhissuit，itmayhavebeenadiplomaticdisliketodrivingmatterstoextremes，oritmayhavebeensomegenuineimpulseofkindliness，forAbbotJohnwascholericbuteasilyappeased。Whateverthecause，theresultwasthatawhiteplumphand，raisedintheairwithagestureofauthority，showedthatthecasewasatanend。
“Ourbrothersacristhathdonehisdutyinurgingthissuit，“saidhe，“fortheworldlywealthofthisAbbeyisplacedinhispiouskeeping，anditistohimthatweshouldlookifwesufferedinsuchways，forwearebutthetrusteesofthosewhocomeafterus。
Buttomykeepinghasbeenconsignedthatwhichismorepreciousstill，theinnerspiritandhighreputeofthosewhofollowtheruleofSaintBernard。Nowithaseverbeenourendeavor，sincefirstoursaintlyfounderwentdownintothevalleyofClairvauxandbuilthimselfacellthere，thatweshouldsetanexampletoallmeningentlenessandhumility。Forthisreasonitisthatwebuiltourhousesinlowlyplaces，thatwehavenotowertoourAbbeychurches，andthatnofineryandnometal，saveonlyironorlead，comewithinourwalls。Abrothershalleatfromawoodenplatter，drinkfromanironcup，andlighthimselffromaleadensconce。Surelyitisnotforsuchanorderwhoawaittheexaltationwhichispromisedtothehumble，tojudgetheirowncaseandsoacquirethelandsoftheirneighbor！，Ifourcausebejust，asindeedIbelievethatitis，thenitwerebetterthatitbejudgedattheKing’sassizesatGuildford，andsoIdecreethatthecasebenowdismissedfromtheAbbeycourtsothatitcanbeheardelsewhere。”
Nigelbreathedaprayertothethreesturdysaintswhohadstoodbyhimsomanfullyandwellinthehourofhisneed。”AbbotJohn，“saidhe，“IneverthoughtthatanymanofmynamewouldutterthankstoaCistercianofWaverley;butbySaintPaul！youhavespokenlikeamanthisday，foritwouldindeedbetoplaywithcoggeddiceiftheAbbey’scaseistobetriedintheAbbeycourt。”
Theeightywhite-cladbrethrenlookedwithhalfresentful，halfamusedeyesastheylistenedtothisfrankaddresstoonewho，intheirsmalllives，seemedtobethedirectvice-regentofHeaven。
ThearchershadstoodbackfromNigel，asthoughhewasatlibertytogo，whentheloudvoiceofthesummonerbrokeinuponthesilence，“Ifitpleaseyou，holyfatherAbbot，“criedthevoice，“thisdecisionofyoursisindeedsecundumlegemandintraviressofarasthecivilsuitisconcernedwhichliesbetweenthispersonandtheAbbey。Thatisyouraffair;butitisI，Josephthesummoner，whohavebeengrievouslyandcriminallymishandled，mywrits，papersandindenturesdestroyed，myauthorityflouted，andmypersondraggedthroughabog，quagmireormorass，sothatmyvelvetgabardineandsilverbadgeofofficewerelostandare，asIverilybelieve，inthemorass，quagmireorbogaforementioned，whichisthesamebog，morass-“
“Enough！”criedtheAbbotsternly。”Layasidethisfoolishfashionofspeechandsaystraitlywhatyoudesire。”
“Holyfather，IhavebeentheofficeroftheKing’slawnolessthantheservantofHolyChurch，andIhavebeenlet，hinderedandassaultedintheperformanceofmylawfulandproperduties，whilstmypapers，drawnintheKing’sname，havebeenshendedandrendedandcasttothewind。Therefore，IdemandjusticeuponthismanintheAbbeycourt，thesaidassaulthavingbeencommittedwithinthebanlieueoftheAbbey’sjurisdiction。”
“Whathaveyoutosaytothis，brothersacrist？”askedtheAbbotinsomeperplexity。
“Iwouldsay，father，thatitiswithinourpowertodealgentlyandcharitablywithallthatconcernsourselves，butthatwhereatheKing’sofficerisconcernedwearewantinginourdutyifwegivehimlessthantheprotectionthathedemands。Iwouldremindyoualso，holyfather，thatthisisnotthefirstofthisman’sviolence，butthathehasbeforenowbeatenourservants，defiedourauthority，andputpikeintheAbbot’sownfish-pond。”
Theprelate’sheavycheeksflushedwithangerasthisoldgrievancecamefreshintohismind。Hiseyeshardenedashelookedattheprisoner。”Tellme，SquireNigel，didyouindeedputpikeinthepond？”
Theyoungmandrewhimselfproudlyup。”EreIanswersuchaquestion，fatherAbbot，doyouansweronefromme，andtellmewhatthemonksofWaverleyhaveeverdoneformethatIshouldholdmyhandwhenIcouldinjurethem？”
Alowmurmurranroundtheroom，partlywonderathisfrankness，andpartlyangerathisboldness。
TheAbbotsettleddowninhisseatasonewhohasmadeuphismind。”Letthecaseofthesummonerbelaidbeforeme，“saidhe。
“Justiceshallbedone，andtheoffendershallbepunished，behenobleorsimple。Lettheplaintbebroughtbeforethecourt。”
Thetaleofthesummoner，thoughramblingandfilledwithendlesslegalreiteration，wasonlytooclearinitsessence。RedSwire，withhisangryfaceframedinwhitebristles，wasledin，andconfessedtohisilltreatmentoftheofficial。Asecondculprit，alittlewirynut-brownarcherfromChurt，hadaidedandabettedinthedeed。BothofthemwerereadytodeclarethatyoungSquireNigelLoringknewnothingofthematter。Butthentherewastheawkwardincidentofthetearingofthewrits。Nigel，towhomaliewasanimpossibility，hadtoadmitthatwithhisownhandshehadshreddedthoseaugustdocuments。Astoanexcuseoranexplanation，hewastooproudtoadvanceany。AcloudgatheredoverthebrowoftheAbbot，andthesacristgazedwithanironicalsmileattheprisoner，whileasolemnhushfelloverthechapterhouseasthecaseendedandonly，judgmentremained。
“SquireNigel，“saidtheAbbot，“itwasforyou，whoare，asallmenknow，ofancientlineageinthisland，togiveafairexamplebywhichothersshouldsettheirconduct。Insteadofthis，yourmanorhousehaseverbeenacenterforthestirringupofstrife，andnownotcontentwithyourharshshowingtowardus，theCistercianmonksofWaverley，youhaveevenmarkedyourcontemptfortheKing’slaw，andthroughyourservantshavemishandledthepersonofhismessenger。ForsuchoffensesitisinmypowertocallthespiritualterrorsoftheChurchuponyourhead，andyetI
wouldnotbeharshwithyou，seeingthatyouareyoung，andthatevenlastweekyousavedthelifeofaservantoftheAbbeywheninperil。Therefore，itisbytemporalandcarnalmeansthatI
willusemypowertotameyouroverboldspirit，andtochastenthatheadstrongandviolenthumorwhichhascausedsuchscandalinyourdealingswithourAbbey。BreadandwaterforsixweeksfromnowtotheFeastofSaintBenedict，withadailyexhortationfromourchaplain，thepiousFatherAmbrose，maystillavailtobendthestiffneckandtosoftenthehardheart。”
AtthisignominioussentencebywhichtheproudheirofthehouseofLoringwouldsharethefateofthemeanestvillagepoacher，thehotbloodofNigelrushedtohisface，andhiseyeglancedroundhimwithagleamwhichsaidmoreplainlythanwordsthattherecouldbenotameacceptanceofsuchadoom。Twicehetriedtospeak，andtwicehisangerandhisshameheldthewordsinhisthroat。
“Iamnosubjectofyours，proudAbbot！”hecriedatlast。”MyhousehaseverbeenvavasortotheKing。Idenythepowerofyouandyourcourttolaysentenceuponme。Punishtheseyourownmonks，whowhimperatyourfrown，butdonotdaretolayyourhanduponhimwhofearsyounot，forheisafreeman，andthepeerofanysaveonlytheKinghimself。”
TheAbbotseemedforaninstanttakenabackbytheseboldwords，andbythehighandstrenuousvoiceinwhichtheywereuttered。
Butthesternersacristcameasevertostiffenhiswill。Hehelduptheoldparchmentinhishand。
“TheLoringswereindeedvavasorstotheKing，“saidhe;“buthereistheverysealofEustaceLoringwhichshowsthathemadehimselfvassaltotheAbbeyandheldhislandfromit。”
“Becausehewasgentle，“criedNigel，“becausehehadnothoughtoftrickorguile。”
“Nay！”saidthesummoner。”Ifmyvoicemaybeheard，fatherAbbot，uponapointofthelaw，itisofnoweightwhatthecausesmayhavebeenwhyadeedissubscribed，signedorconfirmed，butacourtisconcernedonlywiththeterms，articles，covenantsandcontractsofthesaiddeed。”
“Besides，“saidthesacrist，“sentenceispassedbytheAbbeycourt，andthereisanendofitshonorandgoodnameifitbenotupheld。”
“Brothersacrist，“saidtheAbbotangrily，“methinksyoushowovermuchzealinthiscase，andcertes，wearewellabletoupholdthedignityandhonoroftheAbbeycourtwithoutanyredeofthine。Astoyou，worthysummoner，youwillgiveyouropinionwhenwecraveforit，andnotbefore，oryoumayyourselfgetsometouchofthepowerofourtribunal。Butyourcasehathbeentried，SquireLoring，andjudgmentgiven。Ihavenomoretosay。”
Hemotionedwithhishand，andanarcherlaidhisgripupontheshoulderoftheprisoner。ButthatroughplebeiantouchwokeeverypassionofrevoltinNigel’sspirit。Ofallhishighlineofancestors，wasthereonewhohadbeensubjectedtosuchignominyasthis？，Wouldtheynothavepreferreddeath？，Andshouldhebethefirsttolowertheirspiritortheirtraditions？
Withaquick，lithemovement，heslippedunderthearmofthearcher，andpluckedtheshort，straightswordfromthesoldier’ssideashedidso。Thenextinstanthehadwedgedhimselfintotherecessofoneofthenarrowwindows，andtherewerehispalesetface，hisburningeyes，andhisreadybladeturnedupontheassembly。
“BySaintPaul！”saidhe，“Ineverthoughttofindhonorableadvancementundertheroofofanabbey，butperchancetheremay，besomeroomforitereyouhalemetoyourprison。”
Thechapter-housewasinanuproar。NeverinthelonganddecoroushistoryoftheAbbeyhadsuchascenebeenwitnessedwithinitswalls。Themonksthemselvesseemedforaninstanttobeinfectedbythisspiritofdaringrevolt。Theirownlifelongfettershungmorelooselyastheyviewedthisunheard-ofdefianceofauthority。Theybrokefromtheirseatsoneithersideandhuddledhalf-scared，half-fascinated，inalargehalf-circleroundthedefiantcaptive，chattering，pointing，grimacing，ascandalforalltime。ScourgesshouldfallandpenancebedoneformanyalongweekbeforetheshadowofthatdayshouldpassfromWaverley。
Butmeanwhiletherewasnoefforttobringthembacktotheirrule。Everythingwaschaosanddisorder。TheAbbothadlefthisseatofjusticeandhurriedangrilyforward，tobeengulfedandhustledinthecrowdofhisownmonkslikeasheep-dogwhofindshimselfentangledamidaflock。
Onlythesacriststoodclear。Hehadtakenshelterbehindthehalf-dozenarchers，wholookedwithsomeapprovalandagooddealofindecisionatthisboldfugitivefromjustice。
“Onhim！”criedthesacrist。”Shallhedefytheauthorityofthecourt，orshallonemanholdsixofyouatbay？，Closeinuponhimandseizehim。You，Baddlesmere，whydoyouholdback？”
Themaninquestion，atallbushy-beardedfellow，cladliketheothersingreenjerkinandbreecheswithhighbrownboots，advancedslowly，swordinhand，againstNigel。Hisheartwasnotinthebusiness，fortheseclericalcourtswerenotpopular，andeveryonehadatenderheartforthefallenfortunesofthehouseofLoringandwishedwelltoitsyoungheir。
“Come，youngsir，youhavecausedscatheenough，“saidhe。”Standforthandgiveyourselfup！”
“Comeandfetchme，goodfellow，“saidNigel，withadangeroussmile。
Thearcherranin。Therewasaraspofsteel，abladeflickeredlikeaswiftdartofflame，andthemanstaggeredback，withbloodrunningdownhisforearmanddrippingfromhisfingers。HewrungthemandgrowledaSaxonoath。
“BytheblackroodofBromeholm！”hecried，“Ihadassoonputmyhanddownafox’searthtodragupavixenfromhercubs。”
“Standoff！”saidNigelcurtly。”Iwouldnothurtyou;butbySaintPaul！，Iwillnotbehandled，orsomeonewillbehurtinthehandling。”
Sofiercewashiseyeandsomenacinghisbladeashecrouchedinthenarrowbayofthewindowthatthelittleknotofarcherswereatalosswhattodo。TheAbbothadforcedhiswaythroughthecrowdandstood，purplewithoutrageddignity，attheirside。
“Heisoutsidethelaw，“saidhe。”Hehathshedbloodinacourtofjustice，andforsuchasinthereisnoforgiveness。Iwillnothavemycourtsofloutedandsetatnaught。Hewhodrawsthesword，bytheswordalsolethimperish。ForesterHughlayashafttoyourbow！”
Theman，whowasoneoftheAbbey’slayservants，puthisweightuponhislongbowandslippedthelooseendofthestringintotheuppernotch。Then，drawingoneoftheterriblethree-footarrows，steel-tippedandgaudilywinged，fromhiswaist，helaidittothestring。
“Nowdrawyourbowandholditready！”criedthefuriousAbbot。
“SquireNigel，itisnotforHolyChurchtoshedblood，butthereisnaughtbutviolencewhichwillprevailagainsttheviolent，andonyourheadbethesin。Castdowntheswordwhichyouholdinyourhand！”
“WillyougivemefreedomtoleaveyourAbbey？”
“Whenyouhaveabidedyoursentenceandpurgedyoursin。”
“ThenIhadratherdiewhereIstandthangiveupmysword。”
AdangerousflamelitintheAbbot’seyes。HecameofafightingNormanstock，likesomanyofthosefierceprelateswho，bearingamacelesttheyshouldbeguiltyofeffusionofblood，ledtheirtroopsintobattle，everrememberingthatitwasoneoftheirownclothanddignitywho，crosierinhand，hadturnedthelong-drawnbloodydayofHastings。Thesoftaccentofthechurchmanwasgoneanditwasthehardvoiceofasoldierwhichsaid-
“OneminuteIgiveyou，andnomore。ThenwhenIcry’Loose！’
drivemeanarrowthroughhisbody。”
Theshaftwasfitted，thebowwasbent，andthesterneyesofthewoodmanwerefixedonhismark。Slowlytheminutepassed，whileNigelbreathedaprayertohisthreesoldiersaints，notthattheyshouldsavehisbodyinthislife，butthattheyshouldhaveakindlycareforhissoulinthenext。Somethoughtofafiercewildcatsallycrossedhismind，butonceoutofhiscornerhewaslostindeed。Yetatthelasthewouldhaverushedamonghisenemies，andhisbodywasbentforthespring，whenwithadeepsonoroushum，likeabreakingharp-string，thecordofthebowwasclovenintwain，andthearrowtinkleduponthetiledfloor。Atthesamemomentayoungcurly-headedbowman，whosebroadshouldersanddeepchesttoldofimmensestrength，asclearlyashisfrank，laughingfaceandhonesthazeleyesdidofgoodhumorandcourage，sprangforwardswordinhandandtookhisplacebyNigel’sside。
“Nay，comrades！”saidhe。”SamkinAylwardcannotstandbyandseeagallantmanshotdownlikeabullattheendofabaiting。Fiveagainstoneislongodds;buttwoagainstfourisbetter，andbymyfinger-bones！，SquireNigelandIleavethisroomtogether，beitonourfeetorno。”
Theformidableappearanceofthisallyandhishighreputationamonghisfellowsgaveafurtherchilltothelukewarmardoroftheattack。Aylward’sleftarmwaspassedthroughhisstrungbow，andhewasknownfromWoolmerForesttotheWealdasthequickest，surestarcherthateverdroppedarunningdeerattenscorepaces。
“Nay，Baddlesmere，holdyourfingersfromyourstring-case，orI
maychancetogiveyourdrawinghandatwomonths’rest，“saidAylward。”Swords，ifyouwill，comrades，butnomanstringshisbowtillIhaveloosedmine。”
YettheangryheartsofbothAbbotandsacristrosehigherwithafreshobstacle。
“Thisisanilldayforyourfather，FranklinAylward，whoholdsthetenancyofCrooksbury，“saidthesacrist。”Hewillrueitthateverhebegotasonwhowilllosehimhisacresandhissteading。”
“Myfatherisaboldyeoman，andwouldrueitevermorethateverhissonshouldstandbywhilefoulworkwasafoot，“saidAylwardstoutly。”Fallon，comrades！，Wearewaiting。”
EncouragedbypromisesofrewardiftheyshouldfallintheserviceoftheAbbey，andbythreatsofpenaltiesiftheyshouldholdback，thefourarcherswereabouttoclose，whenasingularinterruptiongaveanentirelynewturntotheproceedings。
Atthedoorofthechapter-house，whilethesefierydoingshadbeenafoot，therehadassembledamixedcrowdoflaybrothers，servantsandvarletswhohadwatchedthedevelopmentofthedramawiththeinterestanddelightwithwhichmenhailasuddenbreakinadullroutine。Suddenlytherewasanagitationatthebackofthisgroup，thenaswirlinthecenter，andfinallythefrontrankwasviolentlythrustaside，andthroughthegapthereemergedastrangeandwhimsicalfigure，whofromtheinstantofhisappearancedominatedbothchapter-houseandAbbey，monks，prelatesandarchers，asifheweretheirownerandtheirmaster。
Hewasamansomewhatabovemiddleage，withthinlemon-coloredhair，acurlingmustache，atuftedchinofthesamehue，andahighcraggyface，allrunningtoagreathookofthenose，likethebeakofaneagle。Hisskinwastannedabrown-redbymuchexposuretothewindandsun。Inheighthewastall，andhisfigurewasthinandloose-jointed，butstringyandhard-bitten。
Oneeyewasentirelycoveredbyitslid，whichlayflatoveranemptysocket，buttheotherdancedandsparkledwithamostroguishlight，dartinghereandtherewithatwinkleofhumorandcriticismandintelligence，thewholefireofhissoulburstingthroughthatonenarrowcranny。
Hisdresswasasnoteworthyashisperson。Arichpurpledoubletandcloakwasmarkedonthelapelswithastrangescarletdeviceshapedlikeawedge。Costlylacehungroundhisshoulders，andamiditssoftfoldstheresmolderedthedullredofaheavygoldenchain。Aknight’sbeltathiswaistandaknight’sgoldenspurstwinklingfromhisdoeskinriding-bootsproclaimedhisrank，andonthewristofhisleftgauntlettheresatademurelittlehoodedfalconofabreedwhichinitselfwasamarkofthedignityoftheowner。Ofweaponshehadnone，butamandolinwasslungbyablacksilkenbandoverhisback，andthehighbrownendprojectedabovehisshoulder。Suchwastheman，quaint，critical，masterful，withatouchofwhatisformidablebehindit，whonowsurveyedtheopposinggroupsofarmedmenandangrymonkswithaneyewhichcommandedtheirattention。
“Excusez！”saidhe，inalispingFrench。”Excusez，mesamis！，I
hadthoughttoarousefromprayerormeditation，butneverhaveI
seensuchaholyexerciseasthisunderanabbey’sroof，withswordsforbreviariesandarchersforacolytes。IfearthatI
havecomeamiss，andyetIrideonanerrandfromonewhopermitsnodelay。”
TheAbbot，andpossiblythesacristalso，hadbeguntorealizethateventshadgoneagreatdealfartherthantheyhadintended，andthatwithoutanextremescandalitwasnoeasymatterforthemtosavetheirdignityandthegoodnameofWaverley。Therefore，inspiteofthedebonair，nottosaydisrespectful，bearingofthenewcomer，theyrejoicedathisappearanceandintervention。
“IamtheAbbotofWaverley，fairson，“saidtheprelate。”Ifyourmessagedealwithapublicmatteritmaybefitlyrepeatedinthechapter-house;ifnotIwillgiveyouaudienceinmyownchamber;foritiscleartomethatyouareagentlemanofbloodandcoat-armorwhowouldnotlightlybreakinuponthebusinessofourcourt-abusinesswhich，asyouhaveremarked，islittlewelcometomenofpeacelikemyselfandthebrethrenoftheruleofSaintBernard。”
“Pardieu！，FatherAbbot，“saidthestranger。”Onehadbuttoglanceatyouandyourmentoseethatthebusinesswasindeedlittletoyourtaste，anditmaybeevenlesssowhenIsaythatratherthanseethisyoungpersoninthewindow，whohathanoblebearing，furthermolestedbythesearchers，Iwillmyselfadventuremypersononhisbehalf。”
TheAbbot’ssmileturnedtoafrownatthesefrankwords。”Itwouldbecomeyoubetter，sir，todeliverthemessageofwhichyousaythatyouarethebearer，thantoupholdaprisoneragainsttherightfuljudgmentofacourt。”
Thestrangersweptthecourtwithhisquestioningeye。”Themessageisnotforyou，goodfatherAbbot。ItisforonewhomI
knownot。Ihavebeentohishouse，andtheyhavesentmehither。
ThenameisNigelLoring。”
“Itisforme，fairsir。”
“Ihadthoughtasmuch。Iknewyourfather，EustaceLoring，andthoughhewouldhavemadetwoofyou，yethehaslefthisstampplainenoughuponyourface。”
“Youknownotthetruthofthismatter，“saidtheAbbot。”Ifyouarealoyalman，youwillstandaside，forthisyoungmanhathgrievouslyoffendedagainstthelaw，anditisfortheKing’sliegestogiveustheirsupport。”
“Andyouhavehaledhimupforjudgment，“criedthestrangerwithmuchamusement。”Itisasthougharookerysatinjudgmentuponafalcon。Iwarrantthatyouhavefounditeasiertojudgethantopunish。Letmetellyou，fatherAbbot，thatthisstandethnotaright。Whenpowerssuchastheseweregiventothelikeofyou，theyweregiventhatyoumightcheckabrawlingunderlingorcorrectadrunkenwoodman，andnotthatyoumightdragthebestbloodinEnglandtoyourbarandsetyourarchersonhimifhequestionedyourfindings。”
TheAbbotwaslittleusedtohearsuchwordsofreproofutteredinsosternavoiceunderhisownabbeyroofandbeforehislisteningmonks。”YoumayperchancefindthatanAbbeycourthasmorepowersthanyouwotof，SirKnight，“saidhe，“ifknightindeedyoubewhoaresouncourteousandshortinyourspeech。Erewegofurther，Iwouldaskyournameandstyle？”
Thestrangerlaughed。”Itiseasytoseethatyouareindeedmenofpeace，“saidheproudly。”HadIshownthissign，“andhetouchedthetokenuponhislapels，“whetheronshieldorpennon，inthemarchesofFranceorScotland，thereisnotacavalierbutwouldhaveknowntheredpileofChandos。”
Chandos，JohnChandos，theflowerofEnglishchivalry，thepinkofknight-errantry，theheroalreadyoffiftydesperateenterprises，amanknownandhonoredfromendtoendofEurope！，Nigelgazedathimasonewhoseesavision。Thearchersstoodbackabashed，whilethemonkscrowdedclosertostareatthefamoussoldieroftheFrenchwars。TheAbbotabatedhistone，andasmilecametohisangryface。
“Weareindeedmenofpeace，SirJohn，andlittleskilledinwarlikeblazonry，“saidhe;“yetstoutasareourAbbeywalls，theyarenotsothickthatthefameofyourexploitshasnotpassedthroughthemandreachedourears。IfitbeyourpleasuretotakeaninterestinthisyoungandmisguidedSquire，itisnotforustothwartyourkindintentionortowithholdsuchgraceasyourequest。Iamgladindeedthathehathonewhocansethimsofairanexampleforafriend。”
“Ithankyouforyourcourtesy，goodfatherAbbot，“saidChandoscarelessly。”ThisyoungSquirehas，however，abetterfriendthanmyself，onewhoiskindertothosehelovesandmoreterribletothosehehates。ItisfromhimIbearamessage。”
“Iprayyou，fairandhonoredsir，“saidNigel，“thatyouwilltellmewhatisthemessagethatyoubear。”
“Themessage，monami，isthatyourfriendcomesintothesepartsandwouldhaveanight’slodgingatthemanorhouseofTilfordfortheloveandrespectthathebearsyourfamily。”
“Nay，heismostwelcome，“saidNigel，“andyetIhopethatheisonewhocanrelishasoldier’sfareandsleepunderahumbleroof，forindeedwecanbutgiveourbest，poorasitis。”
“Heisindeedasoldierandagoodone，“Chandosanswered，laughing，“andIwarranthehassleptinrougherquartersthanTilfordManor-house。”
“Ihavefewfriends，fairsir，“saidNigel，withapuzzledface。
“Iprayyougivemethisgentleman’sname。”
“HisnameisEdward。”
“SirEdwardMortimerofKent，perchance，orisitSirEdwardBrocasofwhomtheLadyErmyntrudetalks？”
“Nay，heisknownasEdwardonly，andifyouaskasecondnameitisPlantagenet，forhewhocomestoseektheshelterofyourroofisyourliegelordandmine，theKing’shighmajesty，EdwardofEngland。”
VI。INWHICHLADYERMYNTRUDEOPENSTHEIRONCOFFER
ASinadreamNigelheardthesestupendousandincrediblewords。
AsinadreamalsohehadavisionofasmilingandconciliatoryAbbot，ofanobsequioussacrist，andofabandofarcherswhoclearedapathforhimandfortheKing’smessengerthroughthemotleycrowdwhohadchokedtheentranceoftheAbbeycourt。A
minutelaterhewaswalkingbythesideofChandosthroughthepeacefulcloister，andinfrontintheopenarchwayofthegreatgatewasthebroadyellowroadbetweenitsbordersofgreenmeadow-land。Thespringairwasthesweeterandthemorefragrantforthatchilldreadofdishonorandcaptivitywhichhadsorecentlyfrozenhisardentheart。Hehadalreadypassedtheportalwhenahandpluckedathissleeveandheturnedtofindhimselfconfrontedbythebrownhonestfaceandhazeleyesofthearcherwhohadinterferedinhisbehalf。
“Well，“saidAylward，“whathaveyoutosaytome，youngsir？”
“WhatcanIsay，mygoodfellow，savethatIthankyouwithallmyheart？，BySaintPaul！，ifyouhadbeenmybloodbrotheryoucouldnothavestoodbymemorestoutly。”
“Nay！，butthisisnotenough。”
Nigelcoloredwithvexation，andthemoresoasChandoswaslisteningwithhiscriticalsmiletotheirconversation。”Ifyouhadheardwhatwassaidinthecourt，“saidhe，“youwouldunderstandthatIamnotblessedatthismomentwithmuchofthisworld’sgear。Theblackdeathandthemonkshavebetweenthembeenheavyuponourestate。WillinglywouldIgiveyouahandfulofgoldforyourassistance，sincethatiswhatyouseemtocrave;
butindeedIhaveitnot，andsooncemoreIsaythatyoumustbesatisfiedwithmythanks。”
“Yourgoldisnothingtome，“saidAylwardshortly，“norwouldyoubuymyloyaltyifyoufilledmywalletwithrosenobles，solongasyouwerenotamanaftermyownheart。ButIhaveseenyoubacktheyellowhorse，andIhaveseenyoufacetheAbbotofWaverley，andyouaresuchamasterasIwouldverygladlyserveifyouhavebychanceaplaceforsuchaman。Ihaveseenyourfollowing，andIdoubtnotthattheywerestoutfellowsinyourgrandfather’stime;butwhichofthemnowwoulddrawabow-stringtohisear？，ThroughyouIhavelefttheserviceoftheAbbeyofWaverley，andwherecanIlooknowforapost？，IfIstayhereI
amallundonelikeafrettedbow-string。”
“Nay，therecanbenodifficultythere，“saidChandos。”Padieu！
aroistering，swaggeringdare-devilarcherisworthhispriceontheFrenchborder。Therearetwohundredsuchwhomarchbehindmyownperson，andIwouldasknothingbetterthantoseeyouamongthem。”
“Ithankyou，noblesir，foryouroffer，“saidAylward，“andI
hadratherfollowyourbannerthanmanyanotherone，foritiswellknownthatitgoeseverforward，andIhaveheardenoughofthewarstoknowthattherearesmallpickingsforthemanwholagsbehind。Yet，iftheSquirewillhaveme，IwouldchoosetofightunderthefiverosesofLoring，forthoughIwasborninthehundredofEasebourneandtherapeofChichester，yetIhavegrownupandlearnedtousethelongbowintheseparts，andasthefreesonofafreefranklinIhadratherservemyownneighborthanastranger。”
“Mygoodfellow，“saidNigel，“IhavetoldyouthatIcouldinnowiserewardyouforsuchservice。”
“IfyouwillbuttakemetothewarsIwillseetomyownreward，“
saidAylward。”TillthenIaskfornone，saveacornerofyourtableandsixfeetofyourfloor，foritiscertainthattheonlyrewardIwouldgetfromtheAbbeyforthisday’sworkwouldbethescourgeformybackandthestocksformyankles。SamkinAylwardisyourman，SquireNigel，fromthishouron，andbythesetenfinger-boneshetruststheDevilwillflyawaywithhimifeverhegivesyoucausetoregretit！”Sosayingheraisedhishandtohissteelcapinsalute，slunghisgreatyellowbowoverhisback，andfollowedonsomepacesintherearofhisnewmaster。
“Pardieu！，Ihavearrivedalabonneheure，“saidChandos。”I
rodefromWindsorandcametoyourmanorhouse，tofinditemptysaveforafineolddame，whooldmeofyourtroubles。FromherI
walkedacrosstotheAbbey，andnonetoosoon，forwhatwithcloth-yardshaftsforyourbody，andbell，bookandcandleforyoursoul，itwasnoverycheerfuloutlook。Buthereistheverydameherself，ifImistakenot。”
ItwasindeedtheformidablefigureoftheLadyErmyntrude，gaunt，bowedandleaningonherstaff，whichhademergedfromthedoorofthemanor-houseandadvancedtogreetthem。Shecroakedwithlaughter，andshookherstickatthegreatbuildingassheheardofthediscomfitureoftheAbbeycourt。Thensheledthewayintothehallwherethebestwhichshecouldprovidehadbeenlaidoutfortheirillustriousguest。TherewasChandosbloodinherownveins，traceablebackthroughthedeGreys，deMultons，deValences，deMontaguesandotherhighandnoblestrains，sothatthemealhadbeeneatenandclearedbeforeshehaddonetracingthenetworkofintermarriagesandconnections，withquarterings，impalements，lozengesandaugmentationsbywhichtheblazonryofthetwofamiliesmightbemadetoshowacommonorigin。BacktotheConquestandbeforeittherewasnotanoblefamily-treeeverytwigandbudofwhichwasnotfamiliartotheDameErmyntrude。
Andnowwhenthetrestleswereclearedandthethreewereleftaloneinthehall，Chandosbrokehismessagetothelady。”KingEdwardhatheverborneinmindthatnobleknightyoursonSirEustace，“saidhe。”HewilljourneytoSouthamptonnextweek，andIamhisharbinger。Hebademesay，nobleandhonoredlady，thathewouldcomefromGuildfordinanyeasystagesothathemightspendonenightunderyourroof。”
Theolddameflushedwithpleasure，andthenturnedwhitewithvexationatthewords。”ItisintruthgreathonortothehouseofLoring，“saidshe，“yetourroofisnowhumbleand，asyouhaveseen，ourfareisplain。TheKingknowsnotthatwearesopoor。
Ifearlestweseemchurlishandniggardinhiseyes。”
ButChandosreasonedawayherfears。TheKing’sretinuewouldjourneyontoFarnhamCastle。Therewerenoladiesinhisparty。
ThoughhewasKing，stillhewasahardysoldier，andcaredlittleforhisease。Inanycase，sincehehaddeclaredhiscoming，theymustmakethebestofit。Finally，withalldelicacy，Chandosofferedhisownpurseifitwouldhelpinthematter。ButalreadytheLadyErmyntrudehadrecoveredhercomposure。
“Nay，fairkinsman，thatmaynotbe，“saidshe。”IwillmakesuchpreparationasImayfortheKing。HewillbearinmindthatifthehouseofLoringcangivenothingelse，theyhavealwaysheldtheirbloodandtheirlivesathisdisposal。”
ChandoswastorideontoFarnhamCastleandbeyond，butheexpressedhisdesiretohaveawarmbathereheleftTilford，forlikemostofhisfellow-knights，hewasmuchaddictedtosimmeringinthehottestwaterthathecouldpossiblyendure。Thebaththerefore，ahighhoopedarrangementlikeabroaderbutshorterchurn，wascarriedintotheprivacyoftheguest-chamber，andthitheritwasthatNigelwassummonedtoholdhimcompanywhilehestewedandswelteredinhistub。
Nigelperchedhimselfuponthesideofthehighbed，swinginghislegsovertheedgeandgazingwithwonderandamusementatthequaintface，theruffledyellowhair，andthesinewyshouldersofthefamouswarrior，dimlyseenamidapillarofsteam。Hewasinamoodfortalk;soNigelwitheagerlipspliedhimwithathousandquestionsaboutthewars，hanginguponeverywordwhichcamebacktohim，likethoseoftheancientoracles，outofthemistandthecloud。ToChandoshimself，theoldsoldierforwhomwarhadlostitsfreshness，itwasarenewalofhisownardentyouthtolistentoNigel’srapidquestionsandtomarktheraptattentionwithwhichhelistened。
“TellmeoftheWelsh，honoredsir，“askedtheSquire。”WhatmannerofsoldiersaretheWelsh？”
“Theyareveryvaliantmenofwar，“saidChandos，splashingaboutinhistub。”Thereisgoodskirmishingtobehadintheirvalleysifyouridewithasmallfollowing。Theyflareuplikeafurzebushintheflames，butifforashortspaceyoumayabidetheheatofit，thenthereisachancethatitmaybecooler。”
“AndtheScotch？”askedNigel。”Youhavemadewaruponthemalso，asIunderstand。”
“TheScotchknightshavenomastersintheworld，andhewhocanholdhisownwiththebestofthem，beitaDouglas，aMurrayoraSeaton，hasnothingmoretolearn。Thoughyoubeahardman，youwillalwaysmeetashardaoneifyouridenorthward。IftheWelshbelikethefurzefire，then，padieu！theScotcharethepeat，fortheywillsmolderandyouwillnevercometotheendofthem。IhavehadmanyhappyhoursonthemarchesofScotland，foreveniftherebenowarthePerciesofAlnwickortheGovernorofCarlislecanstillraisealittlebickeringwiththeborderclans。”
“Ibearinmindthatmyfatherwaswonttosaythattheywereverystoutspearmen。”
“Nobetterintheworld，forthespearsaretwelvefootlongandtheyholdtheminverythickarray;buttheirarchersareweak，saveonlythemenofEttrickandSelkirkwhocomefromtheforest。
Iprayyoutoopenthelattice，Nigel，forthesteamisoverthick。
NowinWalesitisthespearmenwhoareweak，andtherearenoarchersintheseislandslikethemenofGwentwiththeirbowsofelm，whichshootwithsuchpowerthatIhaveknownacavaliertohavehishorsekilledwhentheshafthadpassedthroughhismailbreeches，histhighandhissaddle。Andyet，whatisthemoststronglyshotarrowtothesenewballsofirondrivenbythefire-
powderwhichwillcrushaman’sarmorasaneggiscrushedbyastone？，Ourfathersknewthemnot。”
“Thenthebetterforus，“criedNigel，“sincethereisatleastonehonorableventurewhichisallourown。”
Chandoschuckledandturnedupontheflushedyouthatwinklingandsympatheticeye。”YouhaveafashionofspeechwhichcarriesmebacktotheoldmenwhomImetinmyboyhood，“saidhe。”Thereweresomeoftherealoldknight-errantsleftinthosedays，andtheyspokeasyoudo。Youngasyouare，youbelongtoanotherage。Wheregotyouthattrickofthoughtandword？”
“Ihavehadonlyonetoteachme，theLadyErmyntrude。”
“Pardieu！，shehastrainedaproperyounghawkreadytostoopatalordlyquarry，“saidChandos。”IwouldthatIhadthefirstunhoodingofyou。Willyounotridewithmetothewars？”
ThetearsbrimmedoverfromNigel’seyes，andhewrungthegaunthandextendedfromthebath。”BySaintPaul！whatcouldIaskbetterintheworld？，Ifeartoleaveher，forshehasnoneothertocareforher。Butifitcaninanywaybearranged-“
“TheKing’shandmaysmoothitout。Saynomoreuntilheishere。
Butifyouwishtoridewithme-“
“Whatcouldmanwishformore？，IsthereaSquireinEnglandwhowouldnotserveunderthebannerofChandos！，Whitherdoyougo，fairsir？，Andwhendoyougo？，IsittoScotland？，IsittoIreland？，IsittoFrance？，Butalas，alas！”
Theeagerfacehadclouded。Fortheinstanthehadforgottenthatasuitofarmorwasasmuchbeyondhismeansasaserviceofgoldplate。Downinatwinklingcameallhishighhopestotheground。
Oh，thesesordidmaterialthings，whichcomebetweenourdreamsandtheirfulfilment！，TheSquireofsuchaknightmustdresswiththebest。YetallthefeesimpleofTilfordwouldscarcesufficeforonesuitofplate。
Chandos，withhisquickwitandknowledgeoftheworld，hadguessedthecauseofthissuddenchange。”Ifyoufightundermybanneritisformetofindtheweapons，“saidhe。”Nay，Iwillnotbedenied。”
ButNigelshookhisheadsadly。”Itmaynotbe。TheLadyErmyntrudewouldsellthisoldhouseandeveryacreroundit，ereshewouldpermitmetoacceptthisgraciousbountywhichyouoffer。YetIdonotdespair，foronlylastweekIwonformyselfanoblewar-horseforwhichIpaidnotapenny，soperchanceasuitofarmormayalsocomemyway。”
“Andhowwonyouthehorse？”
“ItwasgivenmebythemonksofWaverley。”
“Thisiswonderful。Pardieu！，Ishouldhaveexpected，fromwhatI
hadseen，thattheywouldhavegivenyoulittlesavetheirmalediction。”
“Theyhadnouseforthehorse，andtheygaveittome。”
“Thenwehaveonlytofindsomeonewhohasnouseforasuitofarmorandwillgiveittoyou。YetItrustthatyouwillthinkbetterofitandletme，sincethatgoodladyprovesthatIamyourkinsman，fityouforthewars。”
“Ithankyou，noblesir，andifIshouldturntoanyoneitwouldindeedbetoyou;butthereareotherwayswhichIwouldtryfirst。ButIprayyou，goonSirJohn，totellmeofsomeofyournoblespear-runningsagainsttheFrench，forthewholelandringswiththetaleofyourdeedsandIhaveheardthatinonemorningthreechampionshavefallenbeforeyourlance。Wasitnotso？”
“Thatitwasindeedsothesescarsuponmybodywillprove;butthesewerethefolliesofmyyouth。”
“Howcanyoucallthemfollies？，Aretheynotthemeansbywhichhonorableadvancementmaybegainedandone’sladyexalted？”
“Itisrightthatyoushouldthinkso，Nigel。Atyourageamanshouldhaveahotheadandahighheart。Ialsohadbothandfoughtformylady’sgloveorformyvoworfortheloveoffighting。Butasonegrowsolderandcommandsmenonehasotherthingstothinkof。Onethinkslessofone’sownhonorandmoreofthesafetyofthearmy。Itisnotyourownspear，yourownsword，yourownarm，whichwillturnthetideoffight;butacoolheadmaysaveastrickenfield。Hewhoknowswhenhishorsemenshouldchargeandwhentheyshouldfightonfoot，hewhocanmixhisarcherswithhismen-at-armsinsuchafashionthateachcansupporttheother，hewhocanholduphisreserveandpouritintothebattlewhenitmayturnthetide，hewhohasaquickeyeforboggylandandbrokenground-thatisthemanwhoisofmoreworthtoanarmythanRoland，Oliverandallthepaladins。”
“Yetifhisknightsfailhim，honoredsir，allhishead-workwillnotprevail。”
“Trueenough，Nigel;somayeverySquireridetothewarswithhissoulonfire，asyoursisnow。ButImustlingernolonger，fortheKing’sservicemustbedone。Iwilldress，andwhenIhavebidfarewelltothenobleDameErmyntrudeIwillontoFarnham;
butyouwillseemehereagainonthedaythattheKingcomes。”
SoChandoswenthiswaythatevening，walkinghishorsethroughthepeacefullanesandtwanginghiscitoleashewent，forhelovedmusicandwasfamousforhismerrysongs。Thecottagerscamefromtheirhutsandlaughedandclappedastherichfullvoiceswelledandsanktothecheerytinklingofthestrings。
Therewerefewwhosawhimpassthatwouldhaveguessedthatthequaintone-eyedmanwiththeyellowhairwasthetoughestfighterandcraftiestmanofwarinEurope。Onceonly，asheenteredFarnham，anoldbrokenman-at-armsranoutinhisragsandclutchedathishorseasadoggambolsroundhismaster。Chandosthrewhimakindwordandagoldcoinashepassedontothecastle。
InthemeanwhileyoungNigelandtheLadyErmyntrude，leftalonewiththeirdifficulties，lookedblanklyineachother’sfaces。
“Thecellariswellnighempty，“saidNigel。”Therearetwofirkinsofsmallbeerandatunofcanary。HowcanwesetsuchdrinkbeforetheKingandhiscourt？”
“WemusthavesomewineofBordeaux。Withthatandthemottledcow’scalfandthefowlsandagoose，wecansetforthasufficientrepastifhestaysonlyfortheonenight。Howmanywillbewithhim？”
“Adozen，attheleast。”
Theolddamewrungherhandsindespair。”Nay，takeitnottoheart，dearlady！”saidNigel。”WehavebuttosaythewordandtheKingwouldstopatWaverley，whereheandhiscourtwouldfindallthattheycouldwish。”
“Never！”criedtheLadyErmyntrude。”ItwouldbeshameanddisgracetousforeveriftheKingweretopassourdoorwhenhehasgraciouslysaidthathewasfaintoenterin。Nay，Iwilldoit。NeverdidIthinkthatIwouldbeforcedtothis，butIknowthathewouldwishit，andIwilldoit。”
Shewenttotheoldironcoffer，andtakingasmallkeyfromhergirdlesheunlockedit。Therustyhinges，screamingshrillyasshethrewbackthelid，proclaimedhowseldomitwasthatshehadpenetratedintothesacredrecessesofhertreasure-chest。Atthetopweresomerelicsofoldfinery：asilkencloakspangledwithgoldenstars，acoifofsilverfiligree，arollofVenetianlace。
Beneathwerelittlepacketstiedinsilkwhichtheoldladyhandledwithtendercare：aman’shunting-glove，achild’sshoe，alove-knotdoneinfadedgreenribbon，somelettersinruderoughscript，andavernicleofSaintThomas。Thenfromtheverybottomoftheboxshedrewthreeobjects，swathedinsilkencloth，whichsheuncoveredandlaiduponthetable。Theonewasabraceletofroughgoldstuddedwithuncutrubies，thesecondwasagoldsalver，andthethirdwasahighgobletofthesamemetal。
“Youhaveheardmespeakofthese，Nigel，butneverbeforehaveyouseenthem，forindeedIhavenotopenedthehutchforfearthatwemightbetemptedinourgreatneedtoturnthemintomoney。Ihavekeptthemoutofmysightandevenoutofmythoughts。Butnowitisthehonorofthehousewhichcalls，andeventhesemustgo。Thisgobletwasthatwhichmyhusband，SirNeleLoring，wonaftertheintakingofBelgradewhenheandhiscomradesheldthelistsfrommatinstovespersagainstthefloweroftheFrenchchivalry。ThesalverwasgivenhimbytheEarlofPembrokeinmemoryofhisvaloruponthefieldofFalkirk。”
“Andthebracelet，dearlady？”
“Youwillnotlaugh，Nigel？”
“Nay，whyshouldIlaugh？”
“ThebraceletwastheprizefortheQueenofBeautywhichwasgiventomebeforeallthehigh-bornladiesofEnglandbySirNeleLoringamonthbeforeourmarriage-theQueenofBeauty，Nigel-
I，oldandtwisted，asyouseeme。Fivestrongmenwentdownbeforehislanceerehewonthattrinketforme。Andnowinmylastyears-“
“Nay，dearandhonoredlady，wewillnotpartwithit。”
“Yes，Nigel，hewouldhaveitso。Icanhearhiswhisperinmyear。Honortohimwaseverything-therestnothing。Takeitfromme，Nigel，eremyheartweakens。TomorrowyouwillridewithittoGuildford;youwillseeThoroldthegoldsmith;andyouwillraiseenoughmoneytopayforallthatweshallneedfortheKing’scoming。”，Sheturnedherfaceawaytohidethequiveringofherwrinkledfeatures，andthecrashoftheironlidcoveredthesobwhichburstfromheroverwroughtsoul。
VII。HOWNIGELWENTMARKETINGTOGUILDFORD
ItwasonabrightJunemorningthatyoungNigel，withyouthandspringtimetomakehisheartlight，rodeuponhiserrandfromTilfordtoGuildfordtown。Beneathhimwashisgreatyellowwarhorse，caracolingandcurvetingasbewent，asblitheandfreeofspiritashismaster。InallEnglandonewouldscarcehavefounduponthatmorningsohigh-mettledandsodebonairapair。