Part 32 (2/2)
”The Count of Ferroll will not be discomfited,” said Lady Montfort. ”He is one of those men who never fail.”
”Well, I do not know,” said the Knight of the Dolphin musingly. ”The prince has a stout lance, and I have felt it.”
”He had the best of it this morning,” said Endymion rather bitterly.
”Every one thought so, and that it was very fortunate for the Count of Ferroll that the heralds closed the lists.”
”It might have been fortunate for others,” rejoined Lady Montfort.
”What is the general opinion?” she added, addressing the Knight of the Dolphin. ”Do not go away, Mr. Ferrars. I want to give you some directions about to-morrow.”
”I do not think I shall be at the place to-morrow,” muttered Endymion.
”What!” exclaimed Berengaria; but at this moment Mr. Sidney Wilton came up and said, ”I have been looking at the golden helm. It is entrusted to my care as King of the Tournament. It is really so beautiful, that I think I shall usurp it.”
”You will have to settle that with the Count of Ferroll,” said Berengaria.
”The betting is about equal,” said the Knight of the Dolphin.
”Well, we must have some gloves upon it,” said Berengaria.
Endymion walked away.
He walked away, and the first persons that met his eye were the prince and the Count of Ferroll in conversation. It was sickening. They seemed quite gay, and occasionally examined together a paper which the prince held in his hand, and which was an official report by the heralds of the day's jousting. This friendly conversation might apparently have gone on for ever had not the music ceased and the count been obliged to seek his partner for the coming dance.
”I wonder you can speak to him,” said Endymion, going up to the prince.
”If the heralds had not--many think, too hastily--closed the lists this morning, you would have been the victor of the day.”
”My dear child! what can you mean?” said the prince. ”I believe everything was closed quite properly, and as for myself, I am entirely satisfied with my share of the day's success.”
”If you had thrown him,” said Endymion, ”he could not with decency have contended for the golden helm.”
”Oh! that is what you deplore,” said the prince. ”The Count of Ferroll and I shall have to contend for many things more precious than golden helms before we die.”
”I believe he is a very overrated man,” said Endymion.
”Why?” said the prince.
”I detest him,” said Endymion.
”That is certainly a reason why _you_ should not overrate him,” said the prince.
”There seems a general conspiracy to run him up,” said Endymion with pique.
”The Count of Ferroll is the man of the future,” said the prince calmly.
”That is what Mr. Neuchatel said to me yesterday. I suppose he caught it from you.”
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