"My lord, I am right glad thou hast come. Sir Amand here hath used up all his pretty conceits, and very nearly his appetite." "You amaze me, fair lady! Can a French gentleman fail in one or the other, and with such a theme as thy fair self to discourse of." "Ay, truly, and with such a banquet as thy noble self hath provided. But, most puissant Captain, is it true that thou are going to break a lance in the approaching tilt?" "Not that I know of, fair lady," said Lord Woodville coldly. "But thou wilt an thou art asked?" said Yolande, fixing her soft blue eyes full upon his. "Marry, fair lady, there are younger knights than me to ride courses for love of ladies. I am getting past the age for such pastimes." "Now, nay! a thousand times, nay! Sir Amand, help me to gain our end!" "Pardie, an so lovely a lady cannot soften the heart of the noble Captain, how can the prayers of a poor simple knight like me do it?" said the knight, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, Sir Captain," said Yolande, "if thou wilt not grant that request, at least thou wilt not refuse my other prayer. Wilt thou let my cousin Ralph run a course? I hear he hath done right hardily to-day." "With right goodwill, fair mistress. I saw how well he bore himself this forenoon. I had even now minded to make him an esquire of my body." Yolande glanced across to look for Ralph, but he was standing close behind her, and had heard every word. His joy was so great that he could scarcely fulfil his duties. In his eagerness to have an excuse to say something to his lovely kinswoman, he picked up the first dish that came to hand, and, as he bent over her to offer it, he whispered,-- "Thank you, cousin, thank you! ’tis the kindest service you could do me." "But, fair kinsman, that is no reason you should offer me ’pasties of venison roast,’ with ’plums in paste,’ which I happen to be eating. ’Tis but a poor return for my kindness." Ralph, much abashed, drew back; not, however, before Dicky Cheke saw his mistake, who made a hideous face at him, and as he passed dug his knuckles into his back, saying at the same time,-- "Poor witling! how parlous awkward it is; ’twill never make a good serving page." Fortunately for Ralph there was a general move soon afterwards, and the horses were being brought round to the hall door. In the midst of the confusion Ralph took the opportunity of going up to the Abbot and telling him his business. "What!" said the Abbot, amazed; "and thou calledst that a matter of small import, quotha?" Ralph was a bad hand at asking favours--those who give easily usually are. However, he could not abandon this request. "My lord," he said, "’tis but to advance me such sums that I may appear as becometh the ancient house of Lisle. You gave me to my lord, you would not have me disgrace my name and lineage." Seeing how earnest the boy was, and how reasonable was his request, the Abbot began to relent.