Several days passed by before Jed could reach the Earl who was much engaged. In the meantime he was able to reach the Countess, Anne Beauchamp, who was the daughter of Richard Beauchamp, the former Duke, and sister of Henry, Duke of Warwick, from whom she had inherited.
The Countess informed Jed that she remembered Sir John Jernyngan, who was still living and well. He was a fine, upstanding man, tall, straight, with dark, somewhat curly hair and blue eyes. She remembered well how her father, who was the very flower of chivalry, and a gallant soldier, had knighted him for his gallant deeds on the field at Savignies. Lady Jernyngan was the daughter of Sir Everard Herbert of Bromhill in Hereford. Her hand had also been sought by one Victor Bozen, a soldier of fortune whose description was identical with that of the dead robber. It was true that he had the assurance to demand her hand in marriage, but the lady had openly scorned him, and in revenge he had stabbed her successful suitor who had never harmed him. She rejoiced that his son—for she doubted not John was his son—had unknowingly revenged the foul deed.
Romance, then as now, greatly appeals to the gentle mind. Anne became greatly interested in John and took him under her special protection. She became his advocate with the Earl, where he needed no advocate, and shielded him from the jibes and petty tyrannies of the pages at Warwick—her own castle—where he spent eighteen months perfecting himself in arms and chivalry.
On his first visit home after a six months’ absence, Blanche flew at him, threw herself into his arms and kissed him.
“I have news for thee, sweetheart,” said John, “my Lady has discovered”—
“Well,” said Blanche, “what hath she discovered?”
“I had better not tell thee, ’twill make thee unhappy.”
“Nay, tell me!”
“Give me first six kisses!”
“There then, thou silly. Now tell me!”