"Thou wert right. ’Tis well not to move in too narrow a circle. I found that out, overlate, in my first battle, and for the lack I paid heavily in blood and pain. However, I learned my lessons in time. But how dost fare at Gaspard’s? Art put quite in the shade?" "He tells me," replied Edgar slowly, and flushing slightly, "that I am his most promising pupil. Oftentimes he asks me to have a bout with visitors who have heard of his school and who would try how far his instruction extends." "Ha! That sounds vastly to thy credit. And dost win these bouts or dost lose?" "I lose sometimes," replied Edgar evasively, wishing the knight would not press the point so far. "I must see this Gaspard," said Sir John reflectively. "My sword hath been idle of late, and ’twould not come amiss to practise on his pupils ere I join our forces in Guienne; but, ha! at any rate I can practise on his most promising pupil. Get thy sword, Edgar, and I will test thy prowess for myself." "Nay, sir, I beg thou wilt not; ’twere scarce seemly for esquire----" "Ho! ho! Thou fearest to beat me?--or dost fear to be put to the test? Nay, ’tis not the latter; I wrong thee there, I am sure. Well, never mind, lad, I have other matters to think of for the moment. I purpose to make thee my esquire. What dost think of it?" Edgar gave a start for sheer joy. "Think of it, Sir John? It is all I could desire in all the world. I will serve thee--I do not say well, but as well as it is in my power to do." "There are other things than fighting and riding to be done, Edgar. Thou mayst have to stay behind when I go campaigning, to look after the ladies and to see to my interests. For this I need a cool head and a devoted heart. Canst fulfil these conditions?" "I will try so to do, Sir John." "Very well. I appoint thee my esquire. Every morning thou wilt come to me for thy instructions. In three weeks, if the weather favours our projects, we set sail for Guienne, and in those three weeks we must have furbished up our arms, selected the men-at-arms and archers who are to accompany us, and hied us to the coast." Edgar’s joy was so great that he could scarcely collect his thoughts, but at last he managed to stammer out his thanks. "Say no more, Edgar. Now go, and see thou keep’st the peace with thy comrades. They will be sorely disappointed, but thou hast earned thy reward and they have not. I am glad ’tis thee, Edgar Wintour, who wilt accompany me, for thy father’s sake as well as for thine own. Thou know’st what he did for me? Well, he desired that thou shouldst make thy way by thine own efforts, without help from me, and so far thou hast done so indeed. Now go, and bear thyself generously towards thy less fortunate comrades."