CHAPTER XXV. HOW SIR NIGEL WROTE TO TWYNHAM CASTLE.

uaddwhatitwouldpleasehertoknow.” “ThatwillI,”saidAlleyne,blithely,andbenttothetask. “Myfairladyandmistress,”hewrote,“GodhathhadusinHiskeeping,andmylordiswellandingoodcheer.Hehathwonmuchhonoratthejoustingbeforetheprince,whenhealonewasabletomakeitgoodagainstaveryvaliantmanfromFrance.Touchingthemoneys,thereisenoughandtospareuntilwereachMontaubon.Herewith,myfairlady,Isendmyhumbleregards,entreatingyouthatyouwillgivethesametoyourdaughter,theLadyMaude.Maytheholysaintshaveyoubothintheirkeepingisevertheprayerofthyservant, “ALLEYNEEDRICSON.” “Thatisveryfairlysetforth,”saidSirNigel,noddinghisbaldheadaseachsentencewasreadtohim.“Andforthyself,Alleyne,iftherebeanydearfriendtowhomyouwouldfaingivegreeting,Icansenditfortheewithinthispacket.” “Thereisnone,”saidAlleyne,sadly. “Haveyounokinsfolk,then?” “None,savemybrother.” “Ha!Ihadforgottenthattherewasillbloodbetwixtyou.ButaretherenoneinallEnglandwholovethee?” “NonethatIdaresayso.” “Andnonewhomyoulove?” “Nay,Iwillnotsaythat,”saidAlleyne. SirNigelshookhisheadandlaughedsoftlytohimself,“Iseehowitiswithyou,”hesaid.“HaveInotnotedyourfrequentsighsandvacanteye?Isshefair?” “Sheisindeed,”criedAlleynefromhisheart,alltinglingatthissuddenturnofthetalk. “Andgood?” “Asanangel.” “Andyetshelovesyounot?” “Nay,Icannotsaythatshelovesanother.” “Thenyouhavehopes?” “Icouldnotliveelse.” “Thenmustyoustrivetobeworthyofherlove.Bebraveandpure,fearlesstothestrongandhumbletotheweakandso,whetherthisloveprosperorno,youwillhavefittedyourselftobehonoredbyamaiden'slove,whichis,insooth,thehighestguerdonwhichatrueknightcanhopefor.” “Indeed,mylord,Idosostrive,”saidAlleyne“butsheissosweet,sodainty,andofsonobleaspirit,thatIfearmethatIshallneverbeworthyofher.” “Bythinkingsoyoubecomeworthy.Isshethenofnoblebirth?” “Sheis,mylord,”falteredAlleyne. “Ofaknightlyhouse?” “Yes.” “Haveacare,Alleyne,haveacare!”saidSirNigel,kindly.“Thehigherthesteedthegreaterthefal