Beatrice, too, rode as though lost in thoughts none too bright, though once or twice she stole a quick look at her silent companion. Presently she roused herself with an effort, and began to rally Edgar on his gloominess. "Thou art glum, Sir Edgar," she cried gaily. "Surely thou hast all thou canst desire--knighthood and a goodly fame, the earl’s approval: what more canst wish for?" "Yes, yes, Beatrice," replied Edgar half absently, "’tis as thou sayest. I have much to be thankful for--and yet there are some things I regret, for I fear ’twill mean that I must leave Sir John’s service." "Is that all?" asked Beatrice, raising her eyebrows in indifference. Edgar’s absence of mind vanished, and he stared at his fair companion with a chagrin that his sudden astonishment did not give him time to conceal. "Is it--is it nothing to thee, then?" he stammered, after an awkward pause. "Why should it be, Sir Edgar?" asked Beatrice easily. "I know not--but I thought that perhaps what hath passed----" Edgar stopped quickly, feeling that what he was about to say was far from generous. "What thou hast done for me, thou meanest? Thou shalt be paid." "Paid!" almost shouted Edgar. "Not one groat will I accept. How can’st think of such a thing, Beatrice?" "Dost scorn payment, Edgar? Mayhap thou wilt one day be glad to accept what ye now so scorn." "Never, Beatrice!" cried Edgar emphatically. "’Tis true I am landless, but at any rate I can always ride away and join the league of the ’knights of the sword’, or one of the other bands of knights who spend their lives defending Christendom from the inroads of the Turks. Long have I thought that with no means but a ready sword such might be my fate." "Dost then look forward to warring all thy days?" asked Beatrice, a look of trouble coming into her face for the first time. "Nay, how can I, with Father Armand’s words still ringing in my ears? But----" and Edgar relapsed again into a silence which his companion for a long time did not care to disturb. The following day they arrived at Bordeaux. *CHAPTER XXIII* *Sir John’s Choice* Our story draws to a close, and we must pass over the eager welcome that awaited the travellers from Sir John and his daughter, who were still at the inn. Sir John, indeed, had not progressed so rapidly as had been expected. His fever and his wounds had left him very weak, and he had but the day before resolved to leave France and return to Wolsingham until such time as he might have completely recovered. Gertrude, of course, was to go with him, and now that Beatrice had returned she, too, must accompany her guardian, and the visit to Faucigny had perforce to be completely abandoned. With Edgar a knight, there was no question as to his movements. It was obvious that his duty was to join the earl’s force without delay.