But in truth he is an honest fellow, though he has mistaken his vocation.

He is a valiant man-at-arms, and the abbot's contingent would be of small value, without him.
"'Well, I will see your nephew in the morning.

His perseverance in learning, and his quickness in acquiring it, show him to be a youth of good parts, and intelligent; but until I see him, I cannot say what I will make of him.'" Accordingly, the next morning the lad accompanied his uncle to Sir Henry's private apartment, and found the knight alone.

Sir Henry, Lord Percy, was now about forty years old.

He had received the order of knighthood at the coronation of Richard the Second, when his father was created earl; and, nine years later, he was made governor of Berwick and Warden of the Marches; in which office he displayed such activity in following up and punishing raiders, that the Scots gave him the name of Hotspur.