The Lord of Dynevor: A Tale of the Times of Edward the First

father,

t, spent and fainting; and the lad, making a great effort, opened his dim eyes to see the tall form of the Engl

re his eyes in a sort of blood-coloured mist. He gave up the effort to try to disentangle the maze in which he

O father, see --th

that. Here, let

ledge. He and the child had best be drawn up by those above. Tell them to lose no time. The boy must be taken home to h

of voices, the clear tones of little Gertrude being the most continuous and the most distinct. She seemed to be pouring some tale into the ears of her listeners, and Wendot was certain, from the quick, sudden movements

ong, willing arms of the retainers, and his hurts rudely dressed by kindly hands, and his parched throat refreshed by deep draughts of cold water, he began to shake

m gently down the steep slope, and his que

ence came they? and what do they know? And Llewely

k the words, but Griffeth understoo

e's eyry used to be. Maelgon's men came to carry her off thence. Had it not been for thee, Wendot, she would have be

oughtest aid in the very nick of time. And how came it that our father and ou

one of the beasts, which detained them on the road; but they had started ere the sun rose, and were hard by when we encountered them. Hearing our er

the matter? Spakest thou t

at may be read like a book, and our father only set his lips in his stern fashion, as though he would never open them

ey reached the lower ground turned him sick and faint. Little Gertrude, mounted now upon her palfrey, was chattering ceaselessly to her father, as he strode on beside her down the hillside; but Lord Montacute was grave and silent

re of a very serious complexion, and gave the

them -- not that anything should be detracted from the halo which encircled Wendot. He had reached a turn in the path, and for a moment was alone and out of sight of the company that followed, when the hounds who had accompanied Wendo

uggling in his face for mastery; but the tie of brotherhood

unishment will be. I have never seen our father look so stern. Do as y

d glances; and the former a

to hear the tale, if you would fly from the anger of those who know that you sought to betray her. It will

hen as he himself turned quickly to see what it was, he beheld their father and two of the servants approaching; and Res Vycha

to the castle. They shall be dealt wit

ompany; whilst Llewelyn and Howel were brou

restless and feverish, sleeping much, and troubling his head little about what went on within or without the castle. He was dimly aware that little Gertrude came in and out of his room sometimes, holding to his mother's hands, and that her gentle prattle and little caressing gestures were very soothing and pleasant. Bu

e fever left him; and though he now lay weak and white upon his narrow bed, his mind was perfectly clear, an

with some needlework in her hands one bright afternoon, when the sunlight was streaming into the chamber, and the air floating in through the narrow casemen

me. But where are Llewelyn and Howel? I have not seen them once. Is my

ill remain sullen and obdurate and revengeful, and thy father will not permit them to come out from their retirement so long as our guests remain. Perchance it is best so, for it would but

they still? Methought they Would lea

ery warm feeling towards thee, and would speak to thee of something that is in his heart ere he quits

orward for his years, and of a reflective and thoughtful turn, he had often been consulted by his parents, and particularly by his mother, in matters rather beyond hi

s to say Canst thou

ht; and when she spoke, it did not appear

by faction and feud. Families are banded together against families, and brothers strive with brothers for the inheritance each claims as his own. Each lord of some small territory tries to wrest from his weaker neighbour that which belongs to him; and if for a m

e knew something of his country's history,

try now come. Experience has taught us that she is incapable of uniting all her forces and of making of herself one compact, united kingdom. That course, and that alone, would be her true salvation; but that course she will not take, and failing that, she has to choose between being torn and rent by faction till she is an easy prey to the English king, who will then divide her territories amongst his own hungry and rapacious barons, or for the prin

ight well find us too much weakened by our petty feuds to resist his strong veterans. And the English are not all bad. I have learned that these many days whilst our guests have been with us. I have thought at times that they would be true friends and allies, and that we might do well to copy them in many ways. In truth, if the choice lies betwixt bein

as she heard these words from her first-born s

to do homage for his lands rather than lose them. But thou art the head of the family, and the chief power will rest with thee when thy father is gone. I counsel thee, if the time comes when thou must make thy choice, be not led away by blind hatred of the English. They may prove less cruel foes than thine own countrymen are to one another. If W

his family inclines my heart towards him and his. I will remember what you have said, mother, and will ponder your words. Methin

s room, when the lad was lying alone, wearying somewhat of his own company, and the light sprang into

ood service to me and mine -- good service, indeed, to the King of England, who would have been forced to chastise with some severity the outrage planned upon a subject of his, and one dear to him from associati

d. I had taken that duty on myself. I want nothing; she is safe, and that is enough. Only if you would speak to my father for my brothers Llewelyn and Howel. I know

y as man to man, for thou hast proved thyself to be a man in action, in courage, and in foresight. And thy parents tell me that tho

dily on Lord Montacute's face. He on his side, after

Wales. Thou hast noble blood in thy veins -- the blood of princes and kings; thou hast much that men covet to call their own; b

nd who would -- But pardon me. I would not willingly speak again

il menacing thy brothers from thine own kinsman, who has strengthened himself by an English alliance. It is useless to blind thine eyes to what is coming. They tell me thou art not blind; and I come to thee, lad, beca

answer enough. Lord Montacu

s. The maid has told me that she loves thee well, and would be well pleased to wed thee when she is of the age to do so. These are but childish words, yet they may prove themselves true in days to come. It is in the interests of all those who have the peace and prosperity of this land at heart to strengthen themselves in every way

y for thee to say. What thinkest thou

ot unmingled with pride; but the idea was altogethe

of discretion. Methinks it would scarce be fair to plight her now, at least not with such a plight as might not be broken. If our nations meet in fierce conflict, as they yet may, it woul

er through me. Let me come and claim her anon, when I have grown to man's estate, and can bring her lands and revenues. But bind her not to one whose fate may be beset with perils and s

the noble lad, and out of respect to his parents, who, as he saw, would prove valuable allies to the English cause, could they but be induced to give their allegiance to it. Yet there was another side to the picture, too; and Wendot was too young for any one to

have no solemn troth plight betwixt ye twain; but the maid shall be promised to none other these next four years, so that if thou carest to claim her ere she reaches woman's estate, thou shalt find her waiting f

red upon very young if there were any advantage to be gained from it. A lad of fifteen is seldom sentimental; but Wendot was conscious of a very warm spot in his heart for little Gertrude, and he knew that he should miss her sorely when sh

ich led to his room the patter of little feet, and he leaned up on his elbow

ill be better, for I should like Eleanor and Joanna to see you. They would like you so, and you would like them. But do come soon, Wendot. I do so like you; and I shall want to show you to them all. And I have broken my gold coin in two -- the one the

d as he felt her soft little hands about him. Suddenly he clasped them in both of his and pressed warm kisses upon the

and and wife; and we shall neve