feemed to have it underftood, that there was -not. a knight in France who dared to tilt with you three courfes with a lance. I wifh you therefore to. know, that I (who am one of the fmalleft knights of the realm) offer qiyfelf, to maintain that France is not fo devoid of knights, but that you may find many willing to accept your* challenge ; and if you will accept of me to this intent, either this day or to-morrow, I will meet you without hatred ôr any ill-will. It is folely with a view to defend our honour, and that you may not return to Calais or England, and boaft you have defeated the chivalry of France without ftriking a blow : npw, fay whether you will accept my challenge or not/ Sir Piers. Courteney was ready with his anfwer, and laid,—' Lord de Cfcry, you fpeak well: I accept your challenge, and propofe that you be at this place to-morraw, armed as you pleafe. . I will be fo likewife ; ' and we will tilt three çourfes with the lance, by which you will recover the honour of France, and give me much fatisfa&ion/ 4 Agreed,' replied the lord de Clary; 6 I will be here at the hour ' you fliall appoint/ The two knights then pledged their faith to each other for , this tournament, and feparated: the lord de Clary went to Marquife, which was not far diflant, where he provided himfelf with armour, a fhield and lance* He was not long in doing this ; for. the knights on the frontier of Boulogne and Calais take care to have ample fupplies. He did it all, however, as fecretly as he could ; for he was . % unwilling • 26