United States or Libya ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"But to gratify his own malapert pleasure, I warrant me," said Sir Halbert Glendinning "Come hither, young springald, and tell me whether you have your mistress's license to be so far absent from the castle, or to dishonour my livery by mingling in such a May-game?"
Had she, after all, made so little impression on this springald despite her tacit encouragement of him! Could it be possible that he was only maliciously amusing himself at her expense, playing even a more skillful game than she was capable of doing against such an unusual antagonist?
"And now, my young springald," said the king to Lord Glenvarloch, "where have you been spending your calf-time?" "At Leyden, of late, may it please your Majesty," answered Lord Nigel. "Aha! a scholar," said the king; "and, by my saul, a modest and ingenuous youth, that hath not forgotten how to blush, like most of our travelled Monsieurs. We will treat him conformably."
"More than enough," answered the English knight; "he is known to have been a stout supporter of that outlawed traitor, William Wallace; and again, upon the first raising of the banner by this Robert Bruce, who pretends to be King of Scotland, this young springald, James Douglas, must needs start into rebellion anew. He plunders his uncle, the Archbishop of St.
Hilary could not catch the end of what was said, but he suspected what was meant, as he heard Sir Henry utter a sharp exclamation full of anger. "Leave it till to-morrow, and I think I can bring him to our wishes." "That is what you said last time, Sir Henry," replied the skipper insolently. "Here, Allstone, give me the key and I'll soon bring the springald to reason."
The earl laughed; that bitter, biting laugh of contempt and triumph so difficult to bear. "Thou hast a worthy tongue, my pretty springald," said he; "canst thou use thy sword as bravely? Who and what am I? ask of the lady thou hast so caressingly encircled with thine arm, perchance she can give thee information."
Curtseying her lowest and with a feeling of consternation and pity, as she thought of the orphan boy, she accepted his greeting with duteous welcome as he said, "Kinswoman, I am come to cumber you, whilst I inquire into this matter. I give your son thanks for the honesty and faithfulness he hath shown in the matter, as befitted his father's son. I should wish myself to examine the springald."
But, Master Scot, you shall not smash the English shield so easily. This one hangs too loose to be safe; I shall keep it to serve me when we have fattened up at Paris, after the leanness of our siege. 'Hal, said James, seeing his gay temper restored, 'you have grievously hurt that springald of mine. His northern blood cannot away with the taste he got of your fist.
"Humph! that hotly contested case of Cobham versus Hanley still in progress, I suppose," said the judge. At this moment Sam entered the breakfast room and laid a card on the table before his master. "Eh? 'Lieutenant Springald, U.S.A. Who the mischief is he?" said the judge, reading the name on the card. "The gentleman, sir, says he has called to see you on particular business," replied Sam.
And then, on arriving where the king sat on his horse, "Here he is, Hal, such as he is come humbly to crave thy gracious pardon for hitting the mark no better! He'll mend his ways, good my lord, if your grace will pardon him this time." "Ay, marry, and that will I," said the king. "The springald bids fair to be King of Shoreditch by the time the other fellow abdicates. How old art thou, my lad?"
Word Of The Day