“That thou wilt, and no mean figure either, if I know aught of men,” said the old knight, heartily. “I ever said thy kinsfolk did ill to leave thee thus untaught, and to gloom upon thee because thou hast not the smooth face of my lady’s page, nor the dainty shape of a court-minion. Marry, if it were sin to be hard-favoured, what of me?”
Bertrand could not repress a smile as he glanced at the veteran warrior’s grim visage (which, thanks to the countless scars that seamed it, was almost as ugly as his own), and Sir Godefroi smiled good-humouredly in his turn.
“Thou seest they lie not who call me ‘The Grim Knight,’” said the old gentleman, with a hoarse chuckle. “Hark ye, my son; how if I appoint myself thy godfather, and dub thee the Grim Knight after myself? A good knight may be grim, thou know’st, in the eyes of foes as well as friends; and I warrant thou wilt not shame the title.”
“Gramercy for your courtesy, kind sir,” said Du Guesclin, with characteristic modesty, “but ’tis overmuch for one who hath never done any deed of arms. Wait but till I have proved my manhood, and then will I be prouder to be your godson, than if men should crown me King of France!”
“So be it; and methinks I shall not wait long. But who comes here in such hot haste?”
Two men were seen galloping toward them, the foremost of whom, as he came nearer, proved to be one of Tinteniac’s own followers, seemingly acting as guide to a tall, soldier-like man-at-arms, in a steel cap and leathern “jack,” quilted with lozenge-shaped scales of iron, on a strong black horse.
“Here is one with a letter and token, an’t please your worship,” said the retainer, “which he is charged to give into no hand but your own.”
The letter was mere Greek to Sir Godefroi, who, like most gentlemen of his time, could neither read nor write, and was vastly proud of the fact. But the token (a small ruby ring) seemed to have a special importance of its own, for hardly had he looked at it, when he said hastily to Bertrand—
“Think me not uncourteous, I pray, if I leave thee somewhat suddenly, for this matter must be dealt with straightway. Follow me to the castle, good fellow,” added he to the messenger, “and when thou hast had food and rest, thou shalt bear back mine answer.”
Away he dashed, attended by his own follower, while Du Guesclin and the messenger came after them at an easier pace.