"
"I would I knew--I would I was sure ere I sought his presence."
"You have but to cross the threshold, fair sir, and doubtless you
will learn from the King's own lips."
Sir Aymery seemed to gather himself as one who braces for a spring
into ice-cold water. Then he crossed with a quick stride from the
darkness into the light. The King stood up and held out his hand
with a smile upon his long handsome face, and yet it seemed to the
Italian that it was the lips which smiled but not the eyes.
"Welcome!" cried Edward. "Welcome to our worthy and faithful
Seneschal of Calais! Come, sit here before me at the board, for I
have sent for you that I may hear your news from over the sea, and
thank you for the care that you have taken of that which is as
dear to me as wife or child. Set a place for Sir Aymery there,
and give him food and drink, for he has ridden fast and far in our
service to-day."
Throughout the long feast which the skill of the Lady Ermyntrude
had arranged, Edward chatted lightly with the Italian as well as
with the barons near him. Finally, when the last dish was removed
and the gravy-soaked rounds of coarse bread which served as plates
had been cast to the dogs, the wine-flagons were passed round; and
old Weathercote the minstrel entered timidly with his harp in the
hope that he might be allowed to play before the King's majesty.
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