CHAPTER XXV. HOW SIR NIGEL WROTE TO TWYNHAM CASTLE.

l.Hawknotatthatwhichmaybebeyondthyflight.” “Mylord,Iknowlittleofthewaysandusagesoftheworld,”criedAlleyne,“butIwouldfainaskyourredeuponthematter.Youhaveknownmyfatherandmykin:isnotmyfamilyoneofgoodstandingandrepute?” “Beyondallquestion.” “AndyetyouwarnmethatImustnotplacemylovetoohigh.” “WereMinsteadyours,Alleyne,then,bySt.Paul!Icannotthinkthatanyfamilyinthelandwouldnotbeproudtotakeyouamongthem,seeingthatyoucomeofsooldastrain.ButwhiletheSocmanlives——Ha,bymysoul!ifthisisnotSirOliver'sstepIamthemoremistaken.” Ashespoke,aheavyfootfallwasheardwithout,andtheportlyknightflungopenthedoorandstrodeintotheroom. “Why,mylittlecoz,”saidhe,“IhavecomeacrosstotellyouthatIliveabovethebarber'sintheRuedelaTour,andthatthereisavenisonpastyintheovenandtwoflasksoftherightvintageonthetable.BySt.James!ablindmanmightfindtheplace,foronehasbuttogetinthewindfromit,andfollowthesavorysmell.Putonyourcloak,then,andcome,forSirWalterHewettandSirRobertBriquet,withoneortwoothers,areawaitingus.” “Nay,Oliver,Icannotbewithyou,forImusttoMontaubonthisday.” “ToMontaubon?ButIhaveheardthatyourCompanyistocomewithmyfortyWinchesterrascalstoDax.” “Ifyouwilltakechargeofthem,Oliver.ForIwillgotoMontaubonwithnonesavemytwosquiresandtwoarchers.Then,whenIhavefoundtherestofmyCompanyIshallleadthemtoDax.Wesetforththismorning.” “ThenImustbacktomypasty,”saidSirOliver.“YouwillfindusatDax,Idoubtnot,unlesstheprincethrowmeintoprison,forheisverywrothagainstme.” “Andwhy,Oliver?” “Pardieu!becauseIhavesentmycartel,gauntlet,anddefiancetoSirJohnChandosandtoSirWilliamFelton.” “ToChandos?InGod'sname,Oliver,whyhaveyoudonethis?” “Becauseheandtheotherhaveusedmedespitefully.” “Andhow?” “BecausetheyhavepassedmeoverinchoosingthosewhoshouldjoustforEngland.YourselfandAudleyIcouldpass,coz,foryouarematuremenbutwhoareWake,andPercy,andBeauchamp?Bymysoul!Iwasproddingformyfoodintoacamp-kettlewhentheywerehowlingfortheirpap.Isamanofmyweightandsubstancetobethrownasi