Leofric bent the knee, pressed his lips to the hand of the Prince, and
then, making a deep obeisance, he retired from the tent, Jack following
him open-mouthed with amazement.

He broke into loud exclamations of delight.

"One hundred marks a year! Why, good comrade, thou wilt be rich for
life!" he cried. "Thou canst take a Hall of thine own, and become rich
and prosperous. Or thou canst wed Mistress Alys--"

But there Jack was brought to a sudden standstill by the look upon his
comrade's face. Leofric flushed crimson, and then turned pale, and said
almost sternly,--

"Jack, Jack, thy tongue doth run away with thee. Dost thou not know by
whom the Mistress Alys was beloved?"

Jack grew red in his turn, but he muttered beneath his breath, half
afraid that Leofric might hear,--

"Marry, I know well enough who loved her, but maidens do not always
return the love of their finest suitors."

Leofric's cheek was rather flushed; Jack could not say whether he had
heard these words or not. He returned to his first theme.

"At least thou canst hire a Hall, and scholars will flock to thee. Thou
wilt be renowned for thy lectures, and wilt become a Regent Master, if
thou dost not 'incept' in theology or law, and wear the Doctor's gown.
Thy fortune is secure now, and some day, doubtless, when the Prince has
ascended the throne (which pray Heaven may be soon), he will raise thee
to great honour and dignity; for methinks he hath a princely heart, and
hath taken a mighty liking for thee."

"But thou shalt not leave me, Jack," cried Leofric, "even though we have
a grander lodging than we have known before. Thou wert my first friend.
Thou hast stood at my side in many an hour of peril. If I have won the
crown of success, thou hast merited a share in it. Thou art a bachelor
thyself, and thou shalt assist me in my lectures, and use my school for
thine own. We will not part company. We have travelled too long the same
road. Thou hast throughout been my faithful friend. Thou wilt not desert
me now?"

Jack gripped his friend's hand hard, and there was a huskiness in his
voice as he declared that he desired nothing better than to remain
always by his comrade's side.

A few days later the camp broke up; but Hugh had declared that Leofric
and Jack must pay a visit to his house before they journeyed to Oxford,
and Jack was desirous to travel by way of his own home and see his
relatives ere he took up his abode once again at the seat of learning.

So first they journeyed to Worcester, eager to hear news of Lotta, whose
strange history had been related to them, and whose tidings, brought to
Prince Edward so promptly, had been the immediate cause of the defeat of
De Montfort.

Already the country had begun to assume a more peaceful aspect. Traces
of war's ravages were everywhere only too visible, but it was plain that
the overthrow and death of the Earl of Leicester had for the moment
crushed in the hearts of the people any idea of further fighting. They
revered his memory, they mourned and wept for him, they regarded him as
a martyr and a hero; but there was no one upon whom his mantle could
fall, and the hopes of the nation gradually began to centre in Prince
Edward; for the King's life had already lasted beyond the ordinary
limits attained in those days, and it might well be that before long his
son would succeed him upon the throne.

The news of the victory at Evesham had preceded Hugh to his home, but
not that of his personal safety, so that his arrival sound and whole was
the signal for great demonstrations of delight throughout the household.

Hardly had the little cavalcade ridden into the courtyard before Linda
was at her husband's side, welcoming him with tears of joy; and she had
a very gracious and joyful greeting to give to Leofric and Jack, both of
whom seemed so closely linked with her past life.

The board was quickly laid, the hungry travellers sat down, and
breathlessly did father, mother, and wife listen to the story of the
bloody fight at Evesham, and the death of the great Earl and his sons.

Linda's tears fell as she heard of Amalric's death. She had known him
well in old days, and there was something about him which always won the
hearts of those with whom he came in contact.

"I can be thankful now," she said in a low voice to Leofric, "that sweet
Alys never truly yielded him her heart. She loved him as friend and
brother, but she never gave him the treasure he longed to possess. There
have been moments when I have been almost sad at heart to see this, but
now I can rejoice."

Leofric's face changed colour a little.

"My Lord Amalric said somewhat of this to me as he lay dying," he
answered, in a low voice; "yet I had thought that he and the maiden were
very much one to the other, and that their betrothal was nigh at hand."

"In truth they might, had things gone otherwise, have been betrothed by
the act of their elders; but the heart of Alys was not truly his. I have
not lived with her as sister and friend all those years without knowing
that much."

Leofric said no more. A thoughtful look settled upon his face, and into
his eyes there began to creep a new look. He did not care to ask himself
what the hope was which suddenly awakened in his heart, but it seemed in
some strange way to change and glorify his whole life.

Hugh now claimed his wife's attention. He asked news of Lotta, and heard
that she was recovering strength slowly, but that her mind seemed
strangely affected. She appeared to be losing hold upon recent events,
and was going back more and more to their childhood's days. She spoke
constantly of their mother, and asked for her, and wondered when she
should "go home!" Linda did not think she now remembered that she was
the wife of Roger de Horn, and heard the news of his death with feelings
of great relief.

"I trust it is not wicked, but I cannot grieve for him. I do not think
Lotta would even understand if told: from that night when you brought
her here and went away, everything seems to have been gradually fading
from her mind that belongs to the stormy and unhappy part of her life. I
believe now that if I were to take her to mother and Aunt Bridget at
Eynsham, where I lived so peacefully and happily myself, she would be
perfectly happy there; and that mother would be the happier for having a
daughter to love and tend."

For Linda had recently heard that her mother was a widow, and had
retired to live with her sister at Eynsham. Balzani had never really
recovered from the shock of hearing the manner of his son's death, and
had shortly afterwards taken a fever and died. It would no doubt be a
comfort to the widow to have one of her children back again with her,
especially if she needed motherly care and tendance.

So it was quickly arranged that as soon as Lotta could bear the fatigues
of a journey, she should be carried by easy stages to Eynsham; whilst
Linda should take this opportunity of paying a visit to Alys, who had
earnestly prayed her at parting not to be too long without coming to see
them.

Leofric and Jack would visit their old homes--the farm and the monks of
St. Michael--and join the other party as they approached Oxford. Leofric
had the messages and the token to deliver to Alys from Amalric, and
greatly would he have feared this part of his task had it not been for
Linda's words.

They often talked of Alys as they paced the alleys of the garden
together during the few days that Leofric remained the guest of Hugh,
recalling the past days of their student life in Oxford, and how
strangely fortune had dealt with them, throwing them together, and into
the company of the Constable's daughter.

Now Linda was the wife of a prosperous gentleman, who by the favour of
the Prince had good prospects of rising to knighthood; and Leofric, from
being a poor clerk, almost of the begging class, was a Master, a man of
some substance, as riches went in those days, and could, as Linda once
softly suggested, "mate with any maiden, even of a noble house, for his
learning and the prospect held out to him of princely favour."

Then a red flush crept into Leofric's cheek, and he made answer,--

"There is only one maiden in all the world for me; and how can I dare to
hope that she will have thought to spare for so humble a suppliant as
myself?"

"Thou hadst better ask her what she thinks of the suppliant," said Linda
softly. "Methinks a faint heart beseems not an earnest wooer."

Leofric gave her a searching look.

"Mistress Linda, what dost thou mean?" he questioned. She looked at him
with a smile in her eyes.

"Thou hadst better ask Alys what I mean."

CHAPTER XXX.

_ON THE STILL ISIS._

The breath of spring was in the air. The verdant meadows had put on
their rich new dress, and the flowers were springing up as if to welcome
the returning strength and heat of the sun. The fritillaries gemmed the
river-banks, and the stretches of woodland were blue with the carpet of
fragrant wild hyacinth. The song of the cuckoo was in the air, and on
north slopes the star-like primrose lingered yet. The chill east winds
were changed to soft, summer-like zephyrs from the south, and everything
in nature spoke of joy and hope and coming summer-tide.

Between its green banks, fringed sometimes by stately forest trees;
meandering sometimes through wide stretches of green pasture, where
cattle fattened upon the rich herbage or stood knee-deep in the shallow
tide, the silent Isis slipped leisurely along.

Passing the Abbey of Eynsham, it widened out to a considerable breadth
as it pursued its leisurely course towards the city of Oxford, seeming
to linger lovingly in these pleasant reaches, far from the tumult and
stir which surrounds the abodes of man.

The sun shone lovingly down upon the green world, and upon the shining,
silver river, on this bright day in May. A boat was drifting slowly
along the tide, propelled sometimes by the strong arms of the rower, at
others idly lying upon the bosom of the stream, gently floating
downwards with the slow, still current. Half-way betwixt Oxford and
Eynsham two fishermen on the banks awaited the return of the tardy boat;
but engrossed by their occupation, and soothed by the soft stillness of
the afternoon, they were in no haste for its arrival. They had met with
considerable success in pursuit of their craft, and a number of shining
fish lay upon the bank beside them.

Edmund de Kynaston and Jack Dugdale were the fishermen; the fair Alys
and Leofric Wyvill were the occupants of the boat.

They had all started forth together, with the intention of paying a
visit to Lotta and her mother; but in the end the temptations of the
river had proved too much for the anglers. Instead of waiting till they
reached the pool near Eynsham, they had been landed some miles lower
down; and whilst Alys and Leofric pursued the original plan, they
remained engrossed by their sport, in no hurry at all for the return of
their companions.

Nor did those companions appear in any haste to rejoin them.

Eight years had passed away since Leofric, an almost penniless lad, had
first entered Oxford, uncertain whether or not he should ever succeed in
maintaining himself there. Now, although not yet five-and-twenty, he had
achieved many successes and distinctions, and was regarded by the
authorities of the place as a promising young Master, secure of honours
and rewards. He had become the recipient of royal bounty, and was in a
position of modest affluence, which seemed to him almost like riches.

Already he had in part carried out the plan suggested by Jack when first
the knowledge of the Prince's generosity had been made known to them.
One hundred marks represented something like sixty pounds, and sixty
pounds in those days was equivalent to several hundreds in our times. It
was positive wealth to Leofric, and enabled him to enter at once upon a
new phase of his career.

Since the exodus of students from Oxford a couple of years before, the
Halls and houses had not filled up to quite their former strength, and
there were still buildings to be had at moderate rentals. Leofric found
a couple of houses in Cat Street, which their owner was glad enough to
rent to a man of substance. One of these Leofric retained for a
dwelling-house for himself and his friend and assistant Jack, turning
the lower floor into a commodious lecture-hall, and repairing and
furnishing the upper story for his own use, although it was larger than
he required at present.

The second house was speedily furnished as a Hall for clerks and
students, and already was full to overflowing. The personal popularity
of the young Master was great, and his determination to accept as his
pupils only men who really desired to study, and who would refrain from
joining in the tumults and riots of the city, made something of a new
departure amongst the keepers of Halls, and attracted at once the better
sort of student, to whom a quiet place of abode, where study was the
rule, was regarded in the light of a boon and a blessing. The Chancellor
had expressed great approval of the rules boldly laid down by Leofric
for the regulation of his house, and Jack was invaluable to him in
assisting him to carry out his plan.

Leofric had recognized the fact that in order to keep his pupils within
reasonable bounds he must make their quarters comfortable. How could
they be expected to remain at home after dark if lights and fires were
denied them, and if the rooms they lived in were kept foul,
ill-smelling, and wretched? So simple were the ideas as to plenishing
and furnishing in those days, that Leofric found it easy to provide for
his pupils comfort sufficient to render his Hall the favourite
throughout Oxford. He insisted on cleanliness, and by doing his own
share to ensure it, stimulated the lads to second his efforts. They paid
him rather more than some Hall Masters asked (save those who were really
poor yet honestly studious, to whom he showed himself liberal and
generous); but they received a liberal diet, comforts undreamed of in
other places, good fires in cold weather, lights after dark, liberty to
play reasonably quiet games in the lecture-room if desired, and a
well-aired and cleanly dormitory to sleep in.

Already many nobles and prelates had sent their sons to Leofric, and he
had been obliged to refuse applications from some of the most notable
men of the day. The Chancellor was urging him to open another Hall; and
already it was being whispered that if the schemes already being
discussed for the foundation of regular colleges should be carried out,
Leofric Wyvill would be the man to place over such an institution.

Leofric was keenly interested in these proposed schemes, and had held
many discussions with those in authority upon that very subject. It was
evident to all that the present condition of Oxford must be reformed;
that the massing together in one place of hundreds and thousands of lads
and men, under no regular discipline and control, was likely to lead to
grave evils, and had been the cause of an infinite amount of bloodshed
and confusion.

Walter de Merton and John Balliol had already given endowments, and the
question of the establishment of colleges, where students should reside
beneath sufficient oversight and control, was being earnestly discussed.
Probably other benefactors would come forward when once a start had been
made; and there seemed little doubt that in the near future Leofric
would obtain a high place as Master or Dean of one of these proposed
buildings.

Leofric's personal popularity was great, and his position rather unique.
He was the favourite of the Prince, from whom he received an annual
bounty; so that all those who supported the royal cause regarded him
with favour. But he was also known as the friend of the De Montforts, as
one who had fought side by side with young Amalric at the battles of
Lewes and Evesham. A halo of glory therefore surrounded him in the eyes
of those who favoured the popular cause, and all men listened to him
with respect and enthusiasm, as to a man who had seen great things, had
shared in the most notable movement of the day, and had covered himself
with glory and renown. For all sorts of stories were afloat about his
prowess and valour, many of which he had combated in vain. He was fain
to submit at last to be regarded in the light of a hero, though
marvelling not a little at having won such a reputation.

His position, however, was assured. Although a layman, and resolved to
remain one, he saw before him a career full of possibilities. He knew
that his advancement would be more rapid if he consented to take orders,
but he had never wavered in his resolve against so doing. A man might
now advance to high distinction even in the University, and yet remain a
layman, and Leofric had never been tempted for a moment to the clerical
vocation. Perhaps some amongst his closer friends knew the reason why.

He had been admitted to the Castle for long as the friend both of Edmund
and his father. The Constable liked and respected him, and his successes
had made him rather a notable man. The death of Amalric had taken some
hold upon the minds and hearts of the De Kynastons, who had loved him
well, and regarded him almost in the light of Alys's betrothed husband.

She herself had been much affected by the story of his death, and had
looked pale and pensive for some time. But to-day her cheek had regained
its bloom, her eyes were bright and soft, and her voice and laugh showed
a heart where happiness had made its home, and from which sorrow and
pain had been banished.

A journey by water to Eynsham was always a treat to Alys. Linda and she
corresponded as regularly as the uncertainty of messengers would permit;
and when she heard from her former companion, she always sought to take
news of her to the mother and sister dwelling beneath the Priory walls.

Lotta had never recovered from the effects of her strange illness. Her
mind remained a blank as to the events of her stormy girlhood. She was
like a gentle child, living in the present, or in the more remote past,
happy with her mother, and always eager for news of her sister, yet
without any real comprehension or memory of the events which had
transpired during the past eight years.

The news to-day was of an exceptionally happy nature. Linda was the
mother of a fair son, and Hugh had received knighthood and the gift of a
goodly Manor at the hands of the Prince. There had been extensive
confiscations of the estates of the supporters of the De Montforts, and
the Prince had not forgotten Hugh when he came to distribute this spoil
amongst those who had served him at the critical time of his career.

Having brought tidings of these good things to Lotta and her mother,
Leofric and Alys were on their way to rejoin their companions; but the
beauty of the day, and the warmth of the sunshine upon the flowing
river, tempted them to idleness. They were talking of past days, and of
how the friendship between them had grown and grown.

"The first time I saw you," said Alys, "was when you lifted me from my
palfrey, that day when he was frightened and nearly threw me to the
ground. How little we thought then of all that would happen later!"

"Indeed yes," he answered earnestly. "Looking back to those days, it all
seems like a dream; and yet, Alys, I think I loved thee from that very
day. Dost know that thou hast always been to me a bright particular
star, set high above me in the sky, yet leading me ever onwards. Alys,
sweetheart, I have waited long, but tell me I have not waited in vain.
Hope has sprung up in my heart of late. Sweet Alys, dost thou love me?"

A beautiful light leaped into her eyes. She put out a hand and laid it
upon his.

"I think I have loved thee always, Leofric," she said.

THE END.

HISTORICAL TALES

BY E. Everett-Green.

A CLERK OF OXFORD, and His Adventures in the Barons' War.

THE YOUNG PIONEERS; or, With La Salle on the Mississippi.

IN TAUNTON TOWN. A Story of the Days of the Rebellion of James, Duke of
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SHUT IN. A Tale of the Wonderful Siege of Antwerp in the Year 1585.

THE LOST TREASURE OF TREVLYN. A Story of the Days of the Gunpowder Plot.

IN THE DAYS OF CHIVALRY. A Tale of the Times of the Black Prince.

LOYAL HEARTS AND TRUE. A Story of the Days of Queen Elizabeth.

THE CHURCH AND THE KING. A Tale of England in the Days of Henry VIII.

TOM TUFTON'S TRAVELS.

DOMINIQUE'S VENGEANCE. A Story of France and Florida.

THE SIGN OF THE RED CROSS. A Tale of Old London.

EVIL MAY-DAY. A Story of 1517.

IN THE WARS OF THE ROSES.

THE LORD OF DYNEVOR. A Tale of the Times of Edward the First.

THE SECRET CHAMBER AT CHAD.

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How they Kept the Faith. A Tale of the Huguenots of Languedoc. By Grace
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"_No finer, more touchingly realistic, and truthfully accurate picture
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The Lost Ring. A Romance of Scottish History in the Days of King James
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"_The plot of the romance is skilfully constructed, the dialogue is
admirable, and the principal actors in the history are portrayed with
great ability._"--U.P. Missionary Record.

The City and the Castle. A Story of the Reformation in Switzerland. By
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_Faithfully portrays the state and character of society at the time of
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Leonie; or, Light out of Darkness: and Within Iron Walls, a Tale of the
Siege of Paris. Twin Stories of the Franco-German War. By Annie Lucas.

_Two tales, the first connected with the second. One, of country life in
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Under the Southern Cross. A Tale of the New World. By the Author of "The
Spanish Brothers," etc.

_A thrilling and fascinating story._

Alison Walsh. A Study of To-Day. By Constance Evelyn.

La Rochelle; or, The Refugees. A Story of the Huguenots. By Mrs. E. C.
Wilson.

Wenzel's Inheritance; or, Faithful unto Death. A Tale of Bohemia in the
Fifteenth Century. By Annie Lucas.

_Presents a vivid picture of the religious and social condition of
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Helena's Household. A Tale of Rome in the First Century.

The Spanish Brothers. A Tale of the Sixteenth Century. By the Author of
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The Czar. A Tale of the Time of the First Napoleon. By the Author of
"The Spanish Brothers," etc.

_An interesting tale of the great Franco-Russian war in 1812-18; the
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Arthur Erskine's Story. A Tale of the Days of Knox. By the Author of
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_The object of the writer of this tale is to portray the life of the
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Pendower. A Story of Cornwall in the Reign of Henry the Eighth. By M.
Filleul.

_A tale illustrating in fiction that stirring period of English history
previous to the Reformation._

T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.

"Living to Purpose" Series.

General Grant's Life. (From the Tannery to the White House.) Story of
the Life of Ulysses S. Grant: his Boyhood, Youth, Manhood, Public and
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Cabin to White House," etc. With Portrait, Vignette, etc. Reprinted
complete from the American Edition.

Success in Life. A Book for Young Men. With Plates.

_The great principles of action which, under God, secure "success in
life"--perseverance, industry, integrity, economy, etc.--illustrated by
many examples._

"_Yet There is Room._"

Loving Work in the Highways and Byways. By Lady Hope, Author of "Our
Coffee-Room," "Changed Scenes," etc.

"_It is a volume calculated to stimulate home missionary zeal, and
to suggest spheres of necessity, both spiritual and temporal, that
lie immediately around us waiting the application of the powers
within the Christian Church that have not yet been called into
exercise._"--Christian Leader.

Living to Purpose; or, Making the Best of Life. By Joseph Johnson.

_An earnest, practical book; shows how some of the greatest and most
gifted men of the past have lived, and links counsels to their
examples._

Living in Earnest. Lessons and Incidents from the Lives of the Great and
Good. By Joseph Johnson.

_True "life in earnest" described in its various forms, with counsels as
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Village Missionaries; or, "To Every One His Work." By the Author of "The
Copsley Annals," "Father's Coming Home," etc.

No Cross no Crown. A Tale of the Scottish Reformation. By the Author of
"The Spanish Brothers."

_A tale, more of facts than fiction, of the plague in Dundee, 1564, and
the life and times of George Wishart._

Records of Noble Lives. By W. H. Davenport Adams.

_A most suitable volume for a prize or a present. Its object is to
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Masters of the Situation; or, Some Secrets of Success and Power. A Book
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The Life and Letters of W. Fleming Stevenson, D.D., Dublin. By his Wife.
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