When De Lacy, armed for the road, sought his host the following morning
to say farewell, he found him in an easy chair near the fireplace in
the hall, with his wounded leg resting on a stool, and the answer to
Gloucester's letter in his hand. The old Knight made as though to
arise, but the younger quickly placed his hand upon his shoulder and
held him firm in his seat.
"Not so, Sir John," he insisted. "Do you remain quiet; I know the way
to the courtyard."
"It grieves me sore that you cannot stay with me longer," said De Bury,
allowing himself to be persuaded. "Yet I hope that we shall soon meet
again. Craigston Castle is ever ready to receive you."
"And it shall have the chance, I assure you, when I am again in these
parts--though our next meeting is likely to be in London; His Grace
will scarce soon return to the North."
"Mayhap," replied Sir John; "but for the present, my wound and my
duties keep me here. And, to speak truly, I am not unwilling; when you
have reached my age, Sir Aymer, you will care little for the empty
splendor of the Court--and that reminds me: you may meet there my
niece, the Countess of Clare, and if you do--verily, you have met her,"
as De Lacy smiled, "and have been stricken like the rest. Beware, my
son, your corselet is no protection against the shafts of a woman's
eyes."
"In truth, I know it," De Lacy laughed. "I have met the Countess
and . . . it is needless to say more. Yet it was at Pontefract and not
at Windsor that I saw her. She is with the Duchess of Gloucester."
"In sooth! . . . And you are with the Duke of Gloucester," said De
Bury, with a shrewd smile. "It is either fortune most rare or fate
most drear. By St. Luke! I believe the debt has shifted and that you
should thank me for having had the opportunity to save her uncle's
life. Nay, I did but jest," he added hastily. "You have seen many a
face, doubtless, in sunny France fairer far than hers; yet is she very
dear to me and winning to my old eyes. Should you see her as you pass
Pontefract--if you return that way--say to her that I am here, and that
a short visit from her would be very welcome."
"It may be that the Duchess has left the castle," replied Aymer, "but
your message shall reach the Countess."
"Best deliver it in person," said Sir John, kindly.
"Trust me for that," De Lacy answered--"and now farewell."
"A most gallant youth," said De Bury, when Sir Aymer was gone, "and of
the right fighting stock; yet, if I mistake not, that sweet niece of
mine is likely to make trouble for him."
The shorter route to London was by Sheffield, but De Lacy chose to go
by way of Pontefract. It would, of course, bring him upon the main
highway between York and London further North than by the Sheffield
road; yet he took the chance of the Duke being delayed an extra day at
York, in which event he would be able to await him at Doncaster, and
join him at that place instead of at Nottingham.
It was still wanting something of noon when the low white walls of
Kirkstall glinted before them. De Lacy rode steadily on, however,
nodding pleasantly to the porter, who was standing in the gateway, but
declining his invitation to enter. It was better, he thought, that
Abbot Aldam should have no opportunity to question his men as to their
destination of yesterday. When they reached the banks of Aire, he
ordered a short halt; then swinging again into saddle, they splashed
through the clear waters and breasting the opposite bank resumed the
march at a rapid walk. Presently a body of horsemen hove in sight and,
as they approached, De Lacy eyed them carefully. They were less than a
dozen in number, and though they displayed no banner, yet the sun
gleamed from steel head-pieces and chamfrons. The man in front,
however, was plainly not in armor and his horse was strangely small.
Then, as the distance was reduced, the horse became an ass and the
rider the Abbot of Kirkstall.
"You travel early, Lord Abbot," said Aymer, as they met and halted.
"It is of our calling, my son. Religion knows no night. But you also
must have risen early--on your way to the Coronation--Deo volente?"
with a quizzical smile.
"As fast as horse will carry me."
"Perchance you may overtake the Duke of Gloucester; he left York
to-day, I believe."
"He has rather a long start, methinks, for a stern chase," replied
Aymer.
"Six hundred men move not so quickly as twelve, my son," said the monk.
"Indeed, you might come up with him at Nottingham," he added carelessly.
"Peradventure, yes--Deo volente," wondering how much the Abbot knew of
the matter and how much was shrewd conjecture. "But will not your
reverence attend the Coronation? There is sure to be a brave array of
churchmen there."
"No doubt," returned the Abbot; "but I care little for such gay scenes
or for the intrigues of the Court. A country priest has no training
for such traps. However, I trust we shall soon meet again; and,
meanwhile, Kirkstall's gates are always open to you. _Pax vobiscum_."
"Hypocritical liar," muttered De Lacy, when the two troops had passed.
"I would think twice ere I trusted myself in your power if I chanced to
be an obstacle to your schemes. Giles, what think you of yon Abbot?"
"He is much of his kind and I like not the breed," replied Dauvrey.
"Methinks he resembles rather his brethren of Italy than those I have
seen in this land of mist and fog. He has been meddling with us, I
warrant."
The Knight laughed.
"He has shown a most Christian solicitude for us, at all events," he
said.
When De Lacy drew rein before the barbican of Pontefract, there was no
need to wind horn to gain entrance, for the drawbridge was down and
Lord Darby, with a score of attendants, was just departing.
"Now what in Satan's name brought him back?" Aymer muttered--though he
knew the answer well enough. Then he raised his hand in salute. "I
give you greeting, my lord," he said.
And Darby was even less pleased, for he was going and De Lacy was
coming; but he, too, masked his face, and gave the welcome back in kind.
"Methought you would be with the Duke," he observed, drawing aside to
let his men pass.
"And methought you were by now in London," De Lacy returned.
Darby smiled at the evasion. "Are you not for the Coronation?" he
asked bluntly.