lves to ask questions. When Berenger would have made some
explanation, Sir Marmaduke only said, 'Tell me not yet, my dear boy. I
see it is all right, and my head will hold no more yet but that I have
you and the lad again! Thank God for it! Never mind how.'

When, however, with some difficulty they got him away from Philip's
bedside down to supper, the King came and made him high compliments upon
the distinguished bravery of his sons, and Mericour interpreted, till
Sir Marmaduke--though answering that of course the lads must do their
duty, and he was only glad to hear they had done it--became more and
more radiant and proud, as he began to gather what their trials and what
their steadfastness and courage had been. His goodly face, beaming with
honest gladness, was, as Henry told the Duchess, an absolute ornament to
her table.

Unable, however, to converse with any one but Berenger and Mericour, and
pining all the time to get back to his son, the lengthy and ceremonious
meal was a weary penance to him; and so soon as his release was
possible, he made his way up-stairs again, where he found Philip much
refreshed by a long sleep, and only afraid that he should find the sight
of his father merely a dream; then, when satisfied on that head, eager
to hear of all at home--'the sisters, the dogs, my mother, and my little
brother?' as he arranged his inquiry.

'Ha! you heard of that, did you?'

'Yes,' said Philip, 'the villains gave us letters once--only once--and
those what they thought would sting us most. O father, how could you all
think such foul shame of Berry?'

'Don't speak of it, Phil; I never did, nor Aunt Cecily, not for a
moment; but my Lord is not the man he was, and those foes of yours must
have set abroad vile reports for the very purpose of deceiving us. And
then this child must needs be born, poor little rogue. I shall be able
to take to him now all is right again; but by St. George, they have
tormented me so about him, and wanted me to take him as a providence
to join the estates together, instead of you and Berry, that I never
thought to care so little for a child of my own.'

'We drank his health at Nid de Merle, and were not a little comforted
that you would have him in our place.'

'I'd rather--Well, it skills not talking of it, but it just shows the
way of women. After all the outcry Dame Annora had made about her poor
son, and no one loving him or heeding his interest save herself, no
sooner was t