But do not tell me, Nigel, that you would
be that messenger. Ask me some other favor, for indeed I cannot
let you go."
"Now God forbid!" cried Nigel. "By Saint Paul! I would not be so
caitiff and so thrall as to leave you, when some small deed might
still be done. But I would fain send a message by your
messenger."
"To whom?"
"It is to the Lady Mary, daughter of old Sir John Buttesthorn who
dwells near Guildford."
"But you will write the message, Nigel. Such greetings as a
cavalier sends to his lady-love should be under seal."
"Nay, he can carry my message by word of mouth."
"Then I shall tell him for he goes this morning. What message,
then, shall he say to the lady?"
"He will give her my very humble greeting, and he will say to her
that for the second time Saint Catharine has been our friend."
XXII. HOW ROBERT OF BEAUMANOIR CAME TO PLOERMEL
Sir Robert Knolles and his men passed onward that day, looking
back many a time to see the two dark columns of smoke, one thicker
and one more slender, which arose from the castle and from the
fort of La Brohiniere. There was not an archer nor a man-at-arms
who did not bear a great bundle of spoil upon his back, and
Knolles frowned darkly as he looked upon them. Gladly would he
have thrown it all down by the roadside, but he had tried such
matters before, and he knew that it was as safe to tear a
half-gnawed bone from a bear as their blood-won plunder from such
men as these.
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