"Nay, Sir Ralph," said Aymer, laying his hand upon the other's arm, "your words are quite too flattering. I must be content with the smile."
De Wilton raised his eyebrows. "You brought the chains across the Channel with you?"
De Lacy arose. "No, but maybe I have found them since."
Suddenly De Wilton laughed. "My mind surely is getting weak," he said. "I clean forgot you had never seen the Countess."
"Oh, yes, I have—on the wall last night."
"Was it possible you were near when Darby found her?"
"I was with her."
"With her!" said De Wilton incredulously. "Surely you do not mean it."
De Lacy's face straightened. "Be a little more explicit, please," he said.
"Tut, man, I meant no offence," was the good-natured answer. "You do not understand the matter. The Countess never walks alone on the ramparts after dark with any man save the Duke and me."