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"What say you to this, gentle eyes

"Truly it is issued in very good foron nor any herald that ever wore tabard could better it Did he draw it of his own hand?"

"He hath a grirandmother who is one of the ancient breed," said Chandos "I doubt not that the Dae or two before now But hark ye, sire, I would have a word in your ear--and yours too,them aside, Chandos whispered so into a shout of laughter

"By the rood! no honorable gentle "It behooves entlemen? This worthy cavalier still waits his answer"

The soldiers had all been buzzing together; but now Walter Manny turned to the King with the result of their counsel

"If it please your majesty," said he, "we are of opinion that this Squire hath exceeded all bounds in desiring to break a spear with a belted knight ere he has given his proofs We do hiainst him, and with your consent I have chosen my own body-squire, John Widdicoe"

"What you say, Walter, is right and fair," said the King "Master Chandos, you will tell our chaed You will advise hiht upon the bridge, since it is very clear that itover into the river, but that he advance to the end of the bridge and fight upon the plain You will tell him also that a blunted lance is sufficient for such an encounter, but that a hand-stroke or tith sword or ed, if both riders should keep their saddles A blast upon Raoul's horn shall be the signal to close"

Such ventures as these where an aspirant for fae, until soonist should ride that ere very coht erranty, and were still familiar to the minds of all s of the trouveres were full of such incidents Their actual occurrence however had become rare There was the hts of the courtiers as they watched Chandos ride down to the bridge and coer His build was strange, and so also was his figure, for the limbs were short for so tall a man His head also was sunk forward as if he were lost in thought or overcome with deep dejection