"True," admitted Hugh reflectively, "an your suspicions be justified."
"Have you a more definite plan to work upon?"
"No."
"Then why not accept them, failing somewhat more definite to follow? But I fear me, fair sir, I am over-bold in my interest. I cry your pardon, an you deem it impertinent——"
"Not so," protested Hugh warmly. "Messer Matteo, I take kindly all that you have said. I know not why it is, but by St. James, I have talked to you more freely than to any man, save it be my guardian, the Prior of Crowden. I like your counsel. You came to my aid when I was in mortal peril, and stood by me loyally until I was safe. Why should I not trust you?"
The jongleur's thin face flushed.
"Right knightly said, fair sir," he acknowledged. "You give me courage to ask of you a boon that I crave more than anything else in the world."
"It shall be yours, if it is within my power to grant it," answered Hugh.
He felt very lordly, for this was the first time a man his equal in rank had sought a boon from him.
"First, I shall burden your ears a little longer," said Matteo. "It is meet that before you undertake to grant the boon you should know somewhat of him who asks it."