It is more than she can master, like a heavy spear to a
light rider."
"Her lady-mother has so ordered it," said Alleyne.
"By our Lady! and withouten disrespect," quoth Terlake, "it is in
my mind that her lady-mother is more fitted to lead a company to
a storming than to have the upbringing of this tender and
milk-white maid. Hark ye, lad Alleyne, to what I never told man
or woman yet. I love the fair Lady Maude, and would give the
last drop of my heart's blood to serve her." He spoke with a
gasping voice, and his face flushed crimson in the moonlight.
Alleyne said nothing, but his heart seemed to turn to a lump of
ice in his bosom.
"My father has broad acres," the other continued, "from Fareham
Creek to the slope of the Portsdown Hill. There is filling of
granges, hewing of wood, malting of grain, and herding of sheep
as much as heart could wish, and I the only son. Sure am I that
Sir Nigel would be blithe at such a match."
"But how of the lady?" asked Alleyne, with dry lips.
"Ah, lad, there lies my trouble. It is a toss of the head and a
droop of the eyes if I say one word of what is in my mind.
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