And with that he went back to his door, blowing up his slow-match as he went.

Presently the supper was pronounced cooked, and, after washing his hands, Jorian resumed his coat, amid the universal attention of the motley crew in the great hall, and began to dish up the fragrant stew.  Ho had been collecting for it all day upon the march, now knocking over a rabbit with a bolt from his gun, now picking some leaves of lettuce and watercress when he chanced upon a running stream or a neglected garden—­of which last (thanks to Duke Casimir and his raiders) there were numbers along the route we had traversed.

Then, when he had made all ready, our sturdy cook dished the stew into a great wooden platter—­rabbits, partridges, scraps of dried flesh, bits of bacon for flavoring, fresh eggs, vegetables in handfuls, all covered with a dainty-smelling sauce, deftly compounded of milk, gravy, and red wine.

Then Jorian and Boris, one taking the heap of wooden platters and the other the smoking bowl of stew, marched solemnly within.  But before he went, Boris handed me his pistolet without a word, and the slow-match with it.  Which, as I admit, made me feel monstrously unsafe.  However, I took the engine across my arm and stood at attention as I had seen him do, with the match thrust through my waistband.

Then I felt as if I had suddenly grown at least a foot taller, and my joy was changed to ecstasy when the Lady Ysolinde, coming out quickly, I knew not at first for what purpose, found me thus standing sentinel and blowing importantly upon my slow-match.

“Hugo,” she said, kindly, looking at me with the aqua-marine eyes that had the opal glints in them, “come thy ways in and sit with us.”

I made her a salute with my piece and thanked her for her good thought.

“But,” said I, “Lady Ysolinde, pray remember that this is a place of danger, and that it is more fitting that we who have the honor to be your guards should dine together without your chamber doors.”

“Nay,” she said, impetuously, “I insist.  It is not right that you, who are to be an officer, should mess with the common soldiers.”

“My lady,” said I, “I thank you deeply.  And it shall be so, I promise you, when we are in safety.  But let me have my way here and now.”

She smiled upon me—­liking me, as I think, none the worse for my stiffness.  And so went away, and I was right glad to see her go.  For I would not have lost what I had gained in the good opinion of these two men-at-arms—­no, not for twenty maidens’ favors.

But in that respect also I changed as the years went on.  For of all things a boy loves not to be flouted and babyfied when he thinks himself already grown up and the equal of his elders in love and war.

So in a little while came out Jorian and Boris, and, having carried in the bread and wine, we three sat down to the remains of the stew.  Indeed, I saw but little difference as to quantity from the time that Jorian had taken it in.  For maids’ appetites when they are anyways in love are precarious, but, after they are assured of their love’s return, then the back hunger comes upon them and the larder is made to pay for all arrears.