rthur, I have taken the oaths to the Prince as Castellane. I cannot
go back from my duty, nor give up its defence for any cause whatsoever."

"Alas! alas!"

"There would be only one way of avoiding it," said Eustace, "and you
must yourself say, Arthur, whether that is open to me. To go to the
Prince, and tell him openly what use is made of his Castles, and
impeach the villains of their treachery."

"That cannot be," said Arthur, shaking his head sadly--"it is contrary
to the pledge I gave for you and for myself. But go not, go not,
uncle. Remember, uncle, if you will not take thought for yourself,
that you are all that is left me--all that stands between me and that
wicked Clarenham.--Gaston, persuade him."

"Gaston would never persuade me to disgrace my spurs for the sake of
danger," replied Eustace. "Have you no better learnt the laws of
chivalry in the Prince's household, Arthur? Besides, remember old
Ralph's proverb, 'Fore-warned is fore-armed.' Think you not that
Gaston, and honest Ingram, and I may not be a match for a dozen
cowardly traitors? Besides which, see here the gold allotted me to
raise more men, with which I will obtain some honest hearts for my
defence--and it will go hard with me if I cannot find Sir Renaud's
secret door."

"Then, if you will go, uncle, take, take me with you--I could, at
least, watch the door; and I know how to hit a mark with a cross-bow as
well as Lord Harry of Lancaster himself."

"Take you, Master Arthur? What! steal away the Prince's page that I
have been at such pains to bring hither, and carry him to a nest of
traitors! Why, it would be the very way to justify Clarenham's own
falsehoods."

"And of the blackest are they!" said Arthur. "Think, uncle, of my
standing by to hear him breathing his poison to the Prince, and the
preventing him from searching to find out the truth, by pretending a
regard for my father's name, and your character. Oh that our noble
Prince should be deluded by such a recreant, and think scorn of such a
Knight as you!"

"I trust yet to prove to him that it is a delusion," said Eustace.
"Many a Knight at twenty-two has yet to make his name and fame. Mine,
thanks to Du Guesclin and the Prince himself, is already made, and
though clouded for a time, with the grace of our Lady and of St.
Eustace, I will yet clear it; so, Arthur, be not downcast for me, but
think what Father Cyril hath taught concerning evil report and good
report. But t