And I pray you to bear in mind, Edricson, that he hath
two pair of shoes, those of red leather for common use, and the
others with golden toe-chains, which he may wear should he chance
to drink wine with the Prince or with Chandos."
"My sweet bird," said Sir Nigel, "I am right loth to part from
you, but we are now at the fringe of the forest, and it is not
right that I should take the chatelaine too far from her trust."
"But oh, my dear lord," she cried with a trembling lip, "let me
bide with you for one furlong further--or one and a half perhaps.
You may spare me this out of the weary miles that you will
journey along."
"Come, then, my heart's comfort," he answered. "But I must crave
a gage from thee. It is my custom, dearling, and hath been since
I have first known thee, to proclaim by herald in such camps,
townships, or fortalices as I may chance to visit, that my
lady-love, being beyond compare the fairest and sweetest in
Christendom, I should deem it great honor and kindly condescension
if any cavalier would run three courses against me with sharpened
lances, should he chance to have a lady whose claim he was
willing to advance.
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