And then when the knight held up his hand for the Noise to stay his
blowing, and Leonard strove to speak, the castellan turned on him and
said: Peace, Sir Leonard; dost thou not know that now we would
listen with our ears to heed if they answer us? Not a word any one
man of you, learned or lewd, or ye shall rue it!
Even therewith came clearly the sound of the horn from the water, and
again and yet again; and no man spake but the chaplain, who cried
out: Hearken, knight, it is of Birdalone. But Sir Aymeris laid his
hand on his shoulder and said in an angry whisper: Thou shalt be put
downstairs, priest, if thou hold not thy peace.
Leonard drew aback scowling, and went out of the door, and so slowly
down the stair, and withdrew him into the cover of the door of the
first chamber down from the tower-top, with the mind to waylay Sir
Aymeris as he came down; and meanwhile he cursed him for a fool and a
dull-wit, and himself yet more, as was but right, for a fool and a
licorous traitor.
But he had not tarried there more than a score of minutes, ere he
heard a great shout from those up above: They are come! they are
come! And next thereafter came all the men clattering down the stair
past him, scarce refraining them from shoving each his neighbour on
to the next one; Leonard followed on them, and presently arose great
shouting and tumult through all the house, and all folk, men and
women, hurried flock-meal toward the water-gate, and with them went
Leonard perforce; and sick of heart he was, calling to mind the first
coming thither of Birdalone.
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