If you still wish to shed each other's blood, I shall offer no hindrance thereto." The earl and Count Jacquelin touched each other's hands in obedience to the order, went out of the tent together, and strode off without a word in different directions.
"My dear lad," the Earl of Evesham said on entering his tent where his page was waiting him, "this is a serious business.

The kings have ordered this little count and myself to put aside our differences till after the Crusade, in accordance with our oath.

But as you have in no wise pledged yourself in the same fashion, and as their majesties feel somewhat dull while waiting here, it is determined that the quarrel between the count and me, and between you and the count's page, shall be settled by a fight between you two in the presence of the kings." "Well, sir," Cuthbert said, "I am glad that it should be, seeing the varlet insulted me without any cause, and purposely upset the cup over me." "What is he like ?" the earl asked.

"Dost think that you are a fair match ?" "I doubt not that we are fair match enough," Cuthbert said.

"As you know, sir, I have been well trained to arms of all kinds, both by my father and by the men-at-arms at the castle, and could hold my own against any of your men with light weapons, and have then no fear that this gawky loon, twenty years old though he seems to be, will bring disgrace upon me or discredit upon my nation." "If thou thinkest so," the earl said, "the matter can go on.