Yet,
by St. Paul! there is a long stride between the man who hath a
horn casement and him who is walled in on every hand."
"Alas! fair sir," cried the blind old man, "I have not seen the
blessed blue of heaven this two-score years, since a levin flash
burned the sight out of my head."
"You have been blind to much that is goodly and fair," quoth Sir
Nigel, "but you have also been spared much that is sorry and
foul. This very hour our eyes have been shocked with that which
would have left you unmoved. But, by St. Paul! we must on, or
our Company will think that they have lost their captain somewhat
early in the venture. Throw the man my purse, Edricson, and let
us go."
Alleyne, lingering behind, bethought him of the Lady Loring's
counsel, and reduced the noble gift which the knight had so
freely bestowed to a single penny, which the beggar with many
mumbled blessings thrust away into his wallet. Then, spurring
his steed, the young squire rode at the top of his speed after
his companions, and overtook them just at the spot where the
trees fringe off into the moor and the straggling hamlet of
Hordle lies scattered on either side of the winding and
deeply-rutted track.
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