Adventure Magazine, December 10, 1924 — page 148: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

126 “My heart gives you welcome,” he cried. Silvain reined back and gave him place be- side her. _ “Tt is good to come,” she said softly and their eyes spoke together. “Each day that I wait for you is a longer day.” “T have had the longer days to bear.” They smiled at each other and then she turned from him. “I come late, sir. I have had a war to fight to come to you. I should not be here for you tonight but by this French lord’s grace.”” She made him look back at Silvain. “He has delivered me out of the hand of the French. My lord Marquis, this is Sir Silvain de St. Lo. I pray you honor him for my sake, who indeed deserves all honor for his own.” The marquis bowed. “Sir, I have heard of many deeds of Silvain de St. Lo and envied him. I am proud to stand his debt.” “Here is no debt, my lord. To serve your lady would be service that pays itself richly. But what I could do was little mat- ter. She was her own captain,” Silvain smiled. “TY think it is no little matter that a knight of France should ride against Frenchmen. Sir, you had a hard choice. You have chosen like a noble knight. But we are fortunate.”’ So they brought him to Mantua and made him their guest in the palace and showed him stately courtesy. The place was full of princelings and their gentlemen and their captains and many eyes looked askance at the Frenchman but the Marquis of Mantua had the will to see that his pleasure was law. —‘“What shall be done to the man that the marquis delighteth to honor?” said Mes- sire Thibaut, who throve on palace fare. “Surely he has some great thing for us, lord.” “T fear it, brother,” Silvain smiled. BEFORE a week was out it came. He was beckoned out of the company in the great hall of audience to the room where the marquis sat alone. ‘‘We have seen too little of you in these busy days, sir. Believe that you have been often in my mind.” “Sir, you have been too kind to me.” “Tf have done nothing. You did for me what a man does not forget. Sir Silvain— I think you are bound to no lord.” b= aS Adventure “Tt is true. I am my own man.” “T should count myself happy if you weuld ride with me. I go upon a great venture, sir. I take command of the armies of a league to save Italy.” Silvain drew a long breath. “From the King of France, my lord?’’ he said. ‘Yes. As you saved my wife from his brigands, I hope that I may save Italy from him.” “My king is no brigand, my lord.” “T judge him by his acts. The work he has done in Italy is brigand’s work. He snatches at our towns, he claims lordship of our lands, he seeks to make himself a realm in our country. Your king? Why, you can not serve such a king. You know it.” “Tam a knight of France, my lord. To France I must be loyal, or I am nothing.” ‘“‘His cause is no cause for you, Silvain. You know it well. You have been long in Italy. You do not ride with him. You have to fight against the rogues who march under his banner. Come, fight with me and deliver the land from evil. Is it a good cause? Your heart knows.” Silvain smiled sadly. ‘‘What should I answer you, my lord? I think your heart knows that.”’ “What has he brought upon Italy? Rapine and death and outrage for men and women who had done him no wrong. We gather and march to defend our right. God is for us. He can not stand against us, this robber’s king. But the fight will go hard and we need every knight’s aid. Come Silvain, here is honor to win.”’ ‘Not for me, my lord,” Silvain said. “If all you say is true, why then my place is now with the king.” “No by God’s grace. You would not march with him to plunder us. It is not for you to defend him when we rally to take vengeance.” “By my faith, it is in that day I must fight for him. I had no part in his vic- tories. I dare not stand aside if he marches on defeat.” “Why, this is mad loyalty. You will take the wrong cause because it goes to ruin.” Silvain looked up. | “Is that mad, my lord? I think your heart does not say so. I am a knight of France and if France has evil days I must bear my part.” CoMmiclhook A) CO =