Cross thou to
France, I charge thee, and take this favor to my husband. Tell him,
because thou wouldst do knightly service for me and mine, I give it
thee. Thou wilt not go unrewarded." And she held out a knot of blue
ribbon.
The boy looked from it to her green robe, and back again. Lady De
Aldithely saw the look. "Green is not my color, Hugo," she said. "It is
but the fashion of the time." Suddenly she drew back her hand and laid
the knot against her sleeve. "See how the colors war," she said. "But
not more than truth and constancy with the wickedness of this most
wicked reign." Then she held out the knot of blue to him again.
"Receive it, dear lad," she said. "Whatever knightly service it is
thine to render after thou hast taken thy vow, thou canst render none
greater than thou dost now render to Matilda De Aldithely."
"And what service is that?" inquired Josceline as he came smiling into
the room. "And what solemn manner is this, my mother? There must be
great deeds afoot to warrant it." And he glanced from one to the other.
"Thou hast well come, my son," returned his mother, gravely.
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