u seek my life, as I
understand. Is it so?'

Sir Gilles began to stammer. 'No man has loved the law--no knight ever
loved lady--' and so on; but Richard cut him short.

'Answer me, man,' he said, in a voice which was nearly as dry as his
father's, 'do you wish for my life?'

'King,' said Gilles, his great emotion lending him dignity, 'if I do, is
it a strange matter? You have had my father's and brother's. You have
mine in your hand. You corrupted and then stole my beloved. Are these no
griefs?'

Richard grew impatient; he could never bear waiting.

'Do you wish my life?' he asked again. Gilles was overwrought. 'By God
on high, but I do wish it!' he cried out, almost whimpering.

King Richard threw down his sword. 'Take it then, you fool,' he said.
'You talk too much.'

A silence fell upon the party, so profound that the cicala in the dry
hedge shrilled to pierce the ear. Richard stood like a stock, with Des
Barres gaping at him. Gurdun was all of a tremble, but swung his sword
about in his sword-hand. After a while he took a deep breath, a fumbling
step forward; and Des Barres, leaning out over the saddle, caught him by
the surcoat.

'Drop that man, Des Barres,' said Richard, without moving his eyes from
the Norman. Des Barres obeyed; and as the silence resumed Gilles began
twitching his sword again. When a lizard rustled in the grass a man
started as if shot.

Gilles gave over first, threw his sword away with a sob. 'God ha' mercy,
I cannot! I cannot!' he fretted, and stood blinking the tears from his
eyes. Richard picked up his weapon and returned it to him. 'You are
brave enough, my friend,' he said, 'for better work. Go and do better in
Syria.'

'There is no better work for me, sir,' said Gurdun, 'unless you can
justify yourself.'

'I never justify myself,' said Richard. 'Give me my sword.' De Gurdun
gave it him. Richard sheathed it, went to his horse, mounted, rode away
at walking pace. Nobody moved till he was out of sight. Then said Des
Barres with a high oath, 'I could serve that King if he would let me.'

'God damn him,' said Gilles de Gurdun for his part.

It was near the end of January when they sighted over sea the painted
sails of the Queen. Mother's galley. Her fleet anchored in the roads,
and the lady came ashore. She had two interviews, one with her son, one
with Jehane. But she did not choose to see her daughter, Queen Joan, a
very handsome, free lady.

'Marriage!' cried King Richard