Long stood Sir Pertinax, staring down at the strange jewel in his hand yet
seeing it not, for, lost in his dreams, he beheld again two eyes, dusky-
lashed and softly bright, a slender hand, a shapelyfoot, while in his ears
was again the soft murmur of a maid's voice, a trill of girlish laughter.
So lost in meditation was he that becoming aware of a shadow athwart the
level sunset-glory, he started, glanced up and into the face of a horseman
who had ridden up unheard upon the velvet ling; and this man was tall and
armed at points like a knight; the vizor of his plumed casque was lifted,
and Sir Pertinax saw a ruddy face, keen-eyed, hawk-nosed, thin-lipped.
"Fellow," questioned the haughty knight, "what hold ye there?"
"Fellow," quoth Sir Pertinax, haughty and gruff also, "'t is no matter to
thee!" And speaking, he buttoned the jewel into the wallet at his belt.
"Fool!" exclaimed the Knight, staring in amaze, "wilt dare name me
'fellow'? Tell me, didst see three foresters hereabout?"
"Poltroon, I did.
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