To this
Sir Nigel answered with the romances of Sir Eglamour, and of Sir
Isumbras, and so through the long winter night they sat by the
crackling wood-fire answering each other's songs until the
crowing cocks joined in their concert. Yet, with scarce an hour
of rest, Sir Nigel was as blithe and bright as ever as they set
forth after breakfast upon their way.
"This Sir Gaston is a very worthy man," said he to his squires as
they rode from the "Baton Rouge." "He hath a very strong desire
to advance himself, and would have entered upon some small
knightly debate with me, had he not chanced to have his arm-bone
broken by the kick of a horse. I have conceived a great love for
him, and I have promised him that when his bone is mended I will
exchange thrusts with him. But we must keep to this road upon
the left."
"Nay, my fair lord," quoth Aylward. "The road to Montaubon is
over the river, and so through Quercy and the Agenois."
"True, my good Aylward; but I have learned from this worthy
knight, who hath come over the French marches, that there is a
company of Englishmen who are burning and plundering in the
country round Villefranche.
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