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Rh suddenly and throwing his arms round Sir Nigel. 'I heard that you were here, and have been seeking you.'

'My fair and dear lord,' said the knight, returning the warrior's embrace, 'I have indeed come back to you, for where else shall I go that I may learn to be a gentle and a hardy knight?'

'By my troth,' said Chandos with a smile, 'it is very fitting that we should be companions, Nigel, for since you have tied up one of your eyes, and I have had the mischance to lose one of mine, we have but a pair between us. Ah, Sir Oliver! you were on the blind side of me and I saw you not. A wise woman hath made prophecy that this blind side will one day be the death of me. We shall go in to the prince anon; but in truth he hath much upon his hands, for what with Pedro, and the King of Majorca, and the King of Navarre, who is no two days of the same mind, and the Gascon barons, who are all chaffering for terms like so many hucksters, he hath an uneasy part to play. But how left you the Lady Loring?'

'She was well, my fair lord, and sent her service and greetings to you.'

'I am ever her knight and slave. And your journey, I trust that it was pleasant?'

'As heart could wish. We had sight of two rover galleys, and even came to have some slight bickering with them.'

'Ever in luck's way, Nigel! 'quoth Sir John. 'We must hear the tale anon. But I deem it best that ye should leave your squires and come with me, for, howsoe'er pressed the prince may be, I am very sure that he would be loth to keep two old comrades in arms upon the further side of the door. Follow close behind me, and I will forestall old Sir William, though I can scarce promise to roll forth your style and rank as is his wont.' So saying, he led the way to the inner chamber, the two companions treading close at his heels, and nodding to right and left as they caught sight of familiar faces among the crowd.