The years passed, and the Baron obtained no appointment.

Still he strained his resources to the utmost to visit the Court as often as possible; still he believed that sooner or later a turn of the wheel would elevate him.
There had existed between the houses of Thyma and Aquila the bond of hearth-friendship; the gauntlets, hoofs, and rings were preserved by both, and the usual presents passed thrice a year, at midsummer, Christmas, and Lady-day.

Not much personal intercourse had taken place, however, for some years, until Felix was attracted by the beauty of the Lady Aurora.

Proud, showy, and pushing, Thyma could not understand the feelings which led his hearth-friend to retire from the arena and busy himself with cherries and water-wheels.

On the other hand, Constans rather looked with quiet derision on the ostentation of the other.