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left in such haste that their people remained on shore where they were
slain by the mob that gathered as soon as it was seen that they were
deserted； helped by a company of the Abbot's men who had marched from
Battle。 But with all this I had nothing to do who now that the fight
was over； felt weak as a child and could think of little save that I
had seen my mother burning。
Presently； however； that happened which woke me from my grief and
caused my blood which had grown sluggish to run again。 For when she
knew that she was safe the lady Blanche came out of the cave and
addressed me as I stood there leaning against the rock with the red
sword Wave…Flame in my hand； as I had drawn it to make ready for the
last fight to the death。 All sorts of sweet names she called mea
hero； her deliverer； and I know not what besides。
In the end； as I made no answer； being dazed； also hurt by an axe blow
on the breast which I had not felt before； dealt by that Frenchman
whom I slew near the Castle； she did more。 Throwing her arms about me
she kissed me thrice； on either cheek and on the lips； doubtless
because she was overwrought； and in her thankfulness forgot her
maidenly reserve； though as William Bull said afterwards； this
forgetfulness did not cause her to kiss him who had also helped her up
the hill。
Those kisses were like wine to me； for it is strange how； if we love
her； by the decree of Nature the touch of a beautiful woman's lips；
felt for the first time； affects us in our youth。 Whatever else we
forget； that we always remember； however false those lips afterwards
be proved。 For then the wax is soft and the die sinks deep； so deep
that no after…heats can melt its stamp and no fretting wear it out
while we live beneath the sun。
Now my young blood being awakened； I was minded to return those
kisses； and began to do so with a Jew's interest； when I heard a rough
voice swearing many strange oaths； and heard also the other women who
had sheltered with us in the cave begin to titter； for the moment
forgetting all their private woes； as those of their sex will do when
there is kissing in the wind。
〃God's blood！〃 said the rough voice； 〃who is this that handles my
daughter as though they had been but an hour wed？ Take those lips of
yours from her； fellow； or I'll cut them from your chops。〃
I looked round astonished； to see Sir Robert Aleys mounted on a grey
horse； and followed by a company of men…at…arms who appeared to be
under the command of a well…favoured； dark…eyed young captain with
long hair； and dressed more wondrously than any man I had ever seen
before。 Had he put on Joseph's coat over his mail； he could not have
worn more colours； and I noted that the toes of his shoes curled up so
high that I wondered however he worked them through his stirrups； and
what would happen to him if by chance he were unhorsed。
Being taken aback I made no answer； but William Bull； who； if a rough
fellow； had a tongue in his head and a ready wit； spoke up for me。
〃If you want to know；〃 he said in his Sussex drawl； 〃I'll tell you who
he is； Sir Robert Aleys。 He is my worshipful master； Hubert of
Hastings； ship…owner； householder； and trader of this town。 Or at
least he was these things； but now it seems that his ships and house
are burnt and his mother with them； also that there will be no trade
in Hastings for many a day。〃
〃Mayhap；〃 answered Sir Robert； adding other oaths； 〃but why does he
buss my daughter？〃
〃Perchance because he must give as good as he got； which is a law
among honest merchants； noble Sir Robert。 Or perchance because he has
a better right to buss her than any man alive； seeing that but for
him； by now she would be but stinking clay； or a Frenchman's leman。〃
Here the fine young captain cut in； saying；
〃Whatever else this worshipful trader may need； he does not lack a
trumpeter。〃
〃That is so； my Lord Deleroy；〃 replied William； unmoved； 〃for when I
find a good song I like to sing it。 Go now and look at those three men
who lie yonder on the slope； and see whether the arrows in them bear
my master's mark。 Go also and look upon the Castle hill and find a
knight with his head well…nigh hewn from his shoulders； and see
whether yonder sword fits into the cut。 Aye； and at others that I
could tell you of； slain； every one of them； to save this fair lady。
Aye； go you whose garments are so fine and unstained； and then come
back and talk of trumpeters。〃
〃Pish！〃 said my Lord Deleroy with a shrug of his shoulders； 〃a lady
who is over…wrought and hangs to some common fellow； like one who
kisses the feet of a wooden saint that she thinks has saved her from
calamity！〃
At these words I； who had been listening like a man in a dream； awoke；
as it were； for they stung me。 Moreover； I had heard that this fine
Deleroy was one of those who owed his place and rank to the King's
favour； as he did his high name； being； it was reported； by birth but
a prince's bastard sprung from some relative of Sir Robert whom
therefore he called cousin。
〃Sir；〃 I said； 〃you know best whether I am more common than you are。
Let that be。 At least I hold in my hand the sword of one who begat my
forefather hundreds of years ago； a certain Thorgrimmer who was great
in his time。 Now I have had my fill of fighting to…day； and you；
doubtless through no fault of your own； have had none； you also are
clad in mail and I； a common fellow； have none。 Deign then to descend
from that horse and take a turn with me though I be tired； and thus
prove my commonness upon my body。 Of your nobility do this； seeing
that after all we are of one flesh。〃
Now； stung in his turn； he made as though he would do what I prayed；
when for the first time； after glancing at her father who sat still
puzzled； it would seemthe lady Blanche spoke。
〃Be not mad； Cousin；〃 she said。 〃I tell you that this gentleman has
saved my life and honour； twice at least to…day。 Is it wonderful；
then； if I thanked him in the best fashion that a woman can； and thus
brought your insults on him？〃
He hesitated； though one of his curled…up shoes was out of the
stirrup； when suddenly Sir Robert broke in in his big voice； saying：
〃God's truth； Cousin； I think that you will do well to leave this
young cock alone； since I like not the look of that red spur of his；〃
and he glanced at the sword Wave…Flame。 〃Though he be weary； he may
have a kick or two in him yet。〃
Then he turned to me and added：
〃Sir； you have fought well； many a man has earned knighthood for less；
and if a fair maid thanked you in her own fashion； you are not to
blame。 I； her father； also thank you and wish you all good fortune
till we meet again。 Farewell。 Daughter； make shift to share this horse
with me； and let us away out of this stricken town to Pevensey； where
perchance it will please those French to call to…morrow。〃
A minute later they were gone； and I noted with a pang that as they
went the lady Blanche； having waved her good…bye to me； talked fast to
her cousin Deleroy and that he held her hand to steady her upon her
father's horse。
CHAPTER III
HUBERT COMES TO L