How often he had longed for this day! And now it had come with no
shadow cast behind it. Dame Ermyntrude was under the King's
protection. The old servants had their future assured. The
strife with the monks of Waverley had been assuaged. He had a
noble horse under him, the best of weapons, and a stout follower
at his back. Above all he was bound on a gallant errand with the
bravest knight in England as his leader. All these thoughts
surged together in his mind, and he whistled and sang, as he rode,
out of the joy of his heart, while Pommers sidled and curveted in
sympathy with the mood of his master. Presently, glancing back,
he saw from Aylward's downcast eyes and Puckered brow that the
archer was clouded with trouble. He reined his horse to let him
come abreast of him.
"How now, Aylward?" said he. "Surely of all men in England you
and I should be the most blithe this morning, since we ride
forward with all hopes of honorable advancement. By Saint Paul!
ere we see these heather hills once more we shall either
worshipfully win worship, or we shall venture our persons in the
attempt. These be glad thoughts, and why should you be downcast?"
Aylward shrugged his broad shoulders, and a wry smile dawned upon
his rugged face. "I am indeed as limp as a wetted bowstring,"
said he. "It is the nature of a man that he should be sad when he
leaves the woman he loves.
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