You will have leisure, therefore, if it please you to take
service under me, in which to learn your devoir. Bertrand, my
daughter's page, is hot to go; but in sooth he is over young for
such rough work as may be before us."
"And I have one favor to crave from you," added the lady of the
castle, as Alleyne turned to leave their presence. "You have, as
I understand, much learning which you have acquired at Beaulieu."
"Little enough, lady, compared with those who were my teachers."
"Yet enough for my purpose, I doubt not. For I would have you
give an hour or two a day whilst you are with us in discoursing
with my daughter, the Lady Maude; for she is somewhat backward, I
fear, and hath no love for letters, save for these poor fond
romances, which do but fill her empty head with dreams of
enchanted maidens and of errant cavaliers. Father Christopher
comes over after nones from the priory, but he is stricken with
years and slow of speech, so that she gets small profit from his
teaching. I would have you do what you can with her, and with
Agatha my young tire-woman, and with Dorothy Pierpont.
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