" He sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Englishman, you have saved
my life as I would have saved yours, had I seen such yelping dogs
set upon a man of blood and of coat-armor. But now I am yours,
and what is your sweet will?"
"When you are fit to ride, you will come back with me to my
people."
"Alas! I feared that you would say so. Had I taken you, Nigel--
that is your name, is it not?--had I taken you, I would not have
acted thus."
"How then would you have ordered things?" asked Nigel, much taken
with the frank and debonair manner of his captive.
"I would not have taken advantage of such a mischance as has
befallen me which has put me in your power. I would give you a
sword and beat you in fair fight, so that I might send you to give
greeting to my dear lady and show her the deeds which I do for her
fair sake."
"Indeed, your words are both good and fair," said Nigel. "By
Saint Paul! I cannot call to mind that I have ever met a man who
bore himself better. But since I am in my armor and you without,
I see not how we can debate the matter."
"Surely, gentle Nigel, you could doff your armor."
"Then have I only my underclothes."
"Nay, there shall be no unfairness there, for I also will very
gladly strip to my underclothes."
Nigel looked wistfully at the Frenchman; but he shook his head.
"Alas! it may not be," said he. "The last words that Sir Robert
said to me were that I was to bring you to his side, for he would
have speech with you.
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