"When you called yourself a coward and the worst of ones, you were unjust to yourself and hateful to yourself."
"I suppose you are right," humbly.
"Don't look so doleful; you may be noticed. I would have my knight cheerful and happy."
"And you are not angry?"
"No," and she shook her elfish curls and smiled.
"And you will have no other knight but me?"
"You must not be presumptuous," seriously.
"Mistress Alice, it is not presumptuous for me to speak to you on a subject that is dear to me," said with great earnestness, his eyes devouring her face. "And specially so here in the hall of my ancestors. Do you see the coat-of-arms o'er the mantelpiece, engraved in the oak?"
The girl was relieved by what she thought a change in the conversation. She brightened into new interest.
"Yes, and I wondered ever since a child what was the meaning of the horse with his rider surrounded by the waves of the sea. Oh, do tell me, please!"