"Never fear, Lord Steward; I will answer for my Body-Knight," Richard responded.
During the colloquy, De Lacy had been leaning on the window edge, watching idly the courtyard below, but paying strict attention to all that was said behind him. Now he came forward and bent knee to Richard.
"My King's confidence," he said, "makes contemptible the insinuations of the fickle Stanley."
"How now, Sir———" Stanley began angrily; but Richard silenced him with an imperious gesture.
"Hold, my Lord Steward," he said sternly, "no words betwixt you two. And hark you both, no renewal of this hereafter. You are each acquittanced of the other now."
De Lacy drew himself up stiffly and saluted.
"The King commands," he said.
"And you, my lord?" asked Richard, eyeing Stanley.
"Pardieu! Sire, I have no quarrel with Sir Aymer," he answered, and affably extended his hand.
Just then there came loud voices from the outer room, followed immediately by the entrance of the page.