About noon I heard horses in the valley , and the three men loosed my ropes and fled out , and De Aquila 's men rode up . Gilbert de Aquila came with them , for it was his boast that , like his father , he forgot no man that served him . He was little , like his father , but terrible , with a nose like an eagle 's nose and yellow eyes like an eagle . He rode tall warhorses -- roans , which he bred himself -- and he could never abide to be helped into the saddle . He saw the rope hanging from the beam and laughed , and his men laughed , for I was too stiff to rise . ' `` This is poor entertainment for a Norman knight , '' he said , `` but , such as it is , let us be grateful . Show me , boy , to whom thou owest most , and we will pay them out of hand . '' ' ` What did he mean ? To kill 'em ? ' said Dan . ` Assuredly . But I looked at the Lady Ælueva where she stood among her maids , and her brother beside her . De Aquila 's men had driven them all into the Great Hall . ' ` Was she pretty ? ' said Una . ` In all my long life I have never seen woman fit to strew rushes before my Lady Ælueva , ' the knight replied , quite simply and quietly . ` As I looked at her I thought I might save her and her house by a jest . ' `` Seeing that I came somewhat hastily and without warning , '' said I to De Aquila , `` I have no fault to find with the courtesy that these Saxons have shown me . '' But my voice shook . It is -- it was not good to jest with that little man .
` All were silent awhile , till De XXXXX laughed .
Aquila Dan Hall Saxons Una knight noon roans warhorses Ælueva