Now it is to be said that the Earl had had much tidings told him ofChristopher, and had no intent to put him to death, but rather meant to takehim into the company of his guard, to serve him in all honour; and thatwhich he said as to hanging him was but to try Goldilind; but having heardand seen of her such as we have told, he now thought it good to have aprivy talk with this young man. So he bade a squire lead him to whereChristopher was held in ward, and went much pondering.
So the squire brought him to the self-same Littlest Guardroom (insooth a prison) where Goldilind had lain that other morn; and he gave thesquire leave, and entered and shut the door behind him, so that he andChristopher were alone together. The young man was lying on his backon the pallet, with his hands behind his head, and his knees drawn up,murmuring some fag-end of an old song; but when he heard the door shutto he sat up, and, turning to the new-comer, said: "Art thou tidings? If so,then tell me quickly which it is to be, the gallows or freedom?"
"Friend," said the Earl sternly, "dost thou know who I am?"
"Nay," said Christopher; "by thine attire thou shouldst be some greatman; but that is of little matter to me, since thou wilt neither bid slay me,or let me go, for a heedless word.
Quoth the Earl: "I am the master of the land of Meadham, so there isno need to tell thee that I have thy life or death in my hand. Now thouwilt not deny that thou art of the company of Jack o' the Tofts?"
"It is sooth," said Christopher.
"Well," said the Earl, "thou art bold then to have come hither, for thousayest it that thou art a wolf's-head and forfeit of thy life. Now, again,thou didst take the Lady of Meadham home to thy house yesterday, andwert with her alone a great while. Now according to thy dealings withher thou dost merit either the most evil of deaths, or else it may be areward: hah! what sayest thou?"
Christopher leapt up, and said in a loud voice: "Lord King, whatsoever I may be, I am not each man's dastard; when I saw that pearlof all women, I loved her indeed, as who should not, but it was even as Ihad loved the Mother of God had she come down from the altar picture atthe Church of Middleham of the Wood. And whoso saith otherwise, Igive him the lie back in his teeth, and will meet him face to face if I may;and then, meseems, it will go hard with him."
Spake the Earl, laughing: "I will be no champion against thee, for Ihold my skin and my bones of too much price thereto. And, moreover,though meseemeth the Blessed Virgin would have a hot lover in thee wereshe to come down to earth anigh thy dwelling, yet trow I thy tale, that thouhast dealt with my Lady in honour. Therefore, lad, what sayest thou, wiltthou be a man of mine, and bear arms for me, and do my will?"