about the homestead; and above and beyond all these, on a mound somewhat away from the river and the grange, a great square tower, with barriers and bailey all dight ready for war, and with a banner of the Lord’s hanging out.  But between the tower and the river stood as now a great pavilion of snow-white cloth striped with gold and purple; and round about it were other tents, as though a little army were come into the vale.

So when they looked into that fair place, Otter the Captain rose in the stirrups and cast up his hand for joy, and cried out aloud:  “Now, young knight, now we are come home:  how likest thou my Lord’s land?”

“It is a fair land,” said Ralph; “but is there not come some one to bid thy Lord battle for it? or what mean the tents down yonder?”

Said Otter, laughing:  “Nay, nay, it hath not come to that yet.  Yonder is my Lord’s lady-wife, who hath come to meet him, but in love, so to say, not in battle—­not yet.  Though I say not that the cup of love betwixt them be brim-full.  But this it behoveth me not to speak of, though thou art to be my brother-in-arms, since we are to tilt together presently:  for lo! yonder the tilt-yard, my lad.”

Therewith he pointed to the broad green meadow:  but Ralph said:  “How canst thou, a free man, be brother-in-arms to a thrall?” “Nay, lad,” quoth Otter, “let not that wasp sting thee:  for even such was I, time was.  Nay, such am I now, but that a certain habit of keeping my wits in a fray maketh me of avail to my Lord, so that I am well looked to.  Forsooth in my Lord’s land the free men are of little account, since they must oftenest do as my Lord and my Lord’s thralls bid them.  Truly, brother, it is we who have the wits and the luck to rise above the whipping-post and the shackles that are the great men hereabouts.  I say we, for I deem that thou wilt do no less, whereas thou hast the lucky look in thine eyes.  So let to-day try it.”

As he spake came many glittering figures from out of those tents, and therewithal arose the sound of horns and clashing of cymbals, and their own horns gave back the sound of welcome.  Then Ralph saw a man in golden armour of strange, outlandish fashion, sitting on a great black horse beside the Lord’s litter; and Otter said:  “Lo! my Lord, armed and a-horseback to meet my lady:  she looketh kinder on him thus; though in thine ear be it said, he is no great man of war; nor need he be, since he hath us for his shield and his hauberk.”

Herewith were they come on to the causeway above the green meadows, and presently drew rein before the pavilion, and stood about in a half-ring facing a two score of gaily clad men-at-arms, who had come with the Lady and a rout of folk of the household.  Then the Lord gat off his horse, and stood in his golden armour, and all the horns and other music struck up, and forth from the pavilion came the Lady with a half-score of her women clad gaily in silken gowns of green, and blue, and yellow, broidered all about with gold and silver, but with naked feet, and having iron rings on their arms, so that Ralph saw that they were thralls.  Something told him that his damsel should be amongst these, so he gazed hard on them, but though they were goodly enough there was none of them like to her.