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

say Dynevor? O Elea

as bending, and glanced from the eager, flushed face of the younger girl who stood beside her to that of a tall and

e told this impetuous child, to have s

t Chester they have been lodged within the castle walls, as becomes their station. It has been told me that amongst them are four sons of one Res Vychan, lately d

sweet Eleanor, bid them be brought hither to see us! Thou hast heard the story of how we went thither, my father and I, two years agone now, and of what befell me there. I have never heard a w

ught the news looked at her with unmistakable admiration and pleasure, and seemed as though he would gladly have obeyed any behest of hers; but he was fain to wait for the decision of the stately Eleanor, t

ed their attention, and they had drawn near to hear her last words. One of these younger children was a black-eyed girl, with a very handsome face and an imperious manner, which gave to onlookers the idea that she was older than her years. Quick tempered, g

save thee, sweetest Gertrude, from captivity or death? -- Eleanor, thou knowest the story; thou must bid him hithe

exion; and this request was echoed eagerly by another boy, a fine, bold-looking lad, somewhat older than Alphonso, by name Britten, who was brought up with the king's children, and treated in e

r, it was her father's policy and pleasure to be generous and gracious towards all those who submitted themselves to his feudal sovereignty; and to the young he ever showed himself friendly and even paternal. The stern soldier-king was a particularly tender and loving father, and his wife the best of mothers, so that the family tie in their household was a very strong and beautiful thing. When the monarch was called away from his own royal residences to quell sedition or rebellion in this t

open arms by the warm-hearted Joanna, and the two were fast friends already, although the Welsh girl was several years the elder of the pair. But Joanna, who had been educated in Spain by her grandmother and names

position that was humiliating or galling. The gentle Eleanor shared this feeling to the full, and was glad to give to the young knight Sir Godfrey Challoner, who was one of her own gentlemen-in-waiting, a gracious m

others. She believed that they had been accidentally hindered from coming to her rescue by the difficulties of the climb after the eagle's nest. There was a faint, uncomfortable misgiving in her mind with regard to the bla

of the long gallery, which had closed behind the retiring form of Godfrey, opened once again to admit him, and closely in his wa

ssor were looking onward and outward beyond the surroundings visible to others; and beneath the calm determination of the expression was an underlying sweetness, which shone out from time to time in the sunny smile which always won the heart of the beholder. The figure was rather that of a man than a lad -- tall, strongly knit,

s hands were slim and white, and there was an air of languor and ill-health about him which could not fail to make itself observed. He looked much younger than his b

dot. don't y

ons collected at the upper end of the long gallery. Now he found himself confronted by a pair of eager, dancing eyes, as soft

t, to think you

Gert

should have known you anywhere. But come, Wendot; I would present you to my friends and companions, who

great king's eldest daughter. You will love her, I know --

sped the names and rank of all those to whom they had been presented, and were joining in the eager talk with ease and with enjoyment. Joanna stood beside Wendot, listening, with unfeigned interest, to his answers respecting himself and those

d face. "Nay, think not that we would compel any to visit us who do it not willingly. Gertrude has prepared us to find y

young to have learned the lesson of reticence, and there was somethin

ly quelled. But since our parents died we have seen but little of them. They became joint owners of the commot of Iscennen, and removed from Dynevor to the castle of Carregcennen in their own territory, and

in her eyes. "I heard that Res Vychan was no longer living, but

hanged slightly

them, and first my father fell ill and died, and scarce had the grave closed over him before our mother was stricken, and followed him ere a week had passed. Griffeth was also lying at the point of death, and we despaired of his life al

s he changed from what he was when last you sa

olouring, the tracery of the blue veins beneath the transparent skin. And just the same transparent look was visible in the countenance of the young Prince Alphonso, who was talking with the stranger youth, and more

at Dynevor, beautiful Dynevor, a

ough we are minors yet; and our kinsman Meredith ap Re

s ever been a traitor to his country, a traitor to all who trust him; a covetous, grasping man, who will clut

despite her love for her present companions, bitterly resented being left a hostage in the hands of th

mony. He brings you here to the court to make your peace, to pay your homage. If I mistake not the man, you will not all of you return whence you came. He will poison the king's mind. Some traitorous practices will be alleged against you. Your lands will be withheld. You w

uddenly advancing a step forward and pl

d all the regal look of his royal father as he glanced up in

come at his command to pay your homage to him. Therefore, whatever may be his dealings with your brothers who have assisted the rebels, I pledge my princely word that you shal

eath, whilst Wendot took the hand extended to him, and be

he charm of his personal presence. He combined his father's fearless nobility with his mother's sweetness of dispositi

aying it upon a long table at the far end of the gallery. No great state was observed even in the royal house

the table without ceremony; and when the chaplain had pronounced a blessing, which was listened to reverently by the young people, who were all very devout and responsive to

Joanna to Wendot, whom she had placed between herself and Gertrud

on what we have set our hearts? It

me, gracious lady," answere

not reach the ears of the Lady Edeline, Joanna's governess, who was seated at the board, although

utiously, "have you ever hunt

eldom seen now. But we never rid oursel

ou killed o

ave done

t very da

it. I think not, if one is well armed

locked together tightly. Her animated face was set in line

gs and the stir and fuss which they would make if we were known to be going. I know what that means. We are kept far away behind everybody, and only see the dead animal after it has been killed miles away from us. We want to be in the hunt ourselves -- Britten, Alphonso, Arthyn, Gertrude, and I. Godfrey would perhaps be won over if Gertrude begged him, and

ome. You understand all about hunting,

parents. All he grasped was that the Lady Joanna requested his assistance in a hunt which she had planned, and with the details of which he was perfectly familiar, and he agreed willingly to her request, not sorry,

eril in the sport; and Joanna and Gertrude felt that not even the most ne

if I ever have to marry, as people generally do, especially if they are king's daughters,

he breaking of the king's gold coin between them