The earl and Count Jacquelin touched each other’s hands in obedience to the order, went out of the tent together, and strode off without a word in different directions.

“My dear lad,” the Earl of Evesham said on entering his tent where his page was waiting him, “this is a serious business.  The kings have ordered this little count and myself to put aside our differences till after the Crusade, in accordance with our oath.  But as you have in no wise pledged yourself in the same fashion, and as their majesties feel somewhat dull while waiting here, it is determined that the quarrel between the count and me, and between you and the count’s page, shall be settled by a fight between you two in the presence of the kings.”

“Well, sir,” Cuthbert said, “I am glad that it should be, seeing the varlet insulted me without any cause, and purposely upset the cup over me.”

“What is he like?” the earl asked.  “Dost think that you are a fair match?”

“I doubt not that we are fair match enough,” Cuthbert said.  “As you know, sir, I have been well trained to arms of all kinds, both by my father and by the men-at-arms at the castle, and could hold my own against any of your men with light weapons, and have then no fear that this gawky loon, twenty years old though he seems to be, will bring disgrace upon me or discredit upon my nation.”

“If thou thinkest so,” the earl said, “the matter can go on.  But had it been otherwise I would have gone to the king and protested that the advantage of age was so great that it would be murder to place you in the lists together.”

“There is,” Cuthbert said, “at most no greater difference between us than between a strong man and a weak one, and these, in the ordeal of battle, have to meet in the lists.  Indeed I doubt if the difference is so great, for if he be a foot taller than I, methinks that round the shoulders I should have the advantage of him.”

“Send hither my armorer,” the earl said; “we must choose a proper suit for you.  I fear that mine would be of little use; but doubtless there are some smaller suits among my friends.”

“The simpler and lighter the better,” Cuthbert said.  “I’d rather have a light coat of mail and a steel cap than heavy armor and a helmet which would press me down, and a visor through which I could scarce see.  The lighter the better, for after all if my sword cannot keep my head, sooner or later the armor would fail to do so too.”

The armorer speedily arrived, and the knights and followers of the earl being called in and the case stated, there was soon found a coat of fine linked mail, which fitted Cuthbert well.  As to the steel cap there was no difficulty whatever.

“You must have a plume at least,” the earl said, and took some feathers from his own casque and fastened them in.  “Will you want a light sword and battle-ax?”

“No,” Cuthbert said, “my arms are pretty well used to those of the men-at-arms.  I could wield my father’s sword, and that was a heavy one.”