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。