alais to de Chargny, and then in
turn you would sell de Chargny to me. How dare you suppose that I or
any noble knight had such a huckster's soul as to think only of ransoms
where honor is to be won? Could I or any true man be so caitiff and so
thrall? You have sealed your own doom. Lead him out!"

"One instant, I pray you, my fair and most sweet lord," cried the
Prince. "Assuage your wrath yet a little while, for this man's rede
deserves perhaps more thought than we have given it. He has turned your
noble soul sick with his talk of ransoms; but look at it, I pray
you, from the side of honor, and where could we find such hope of
worshipfully winning worship? I pray you to let me put my body in
this adventure, for it is one from which, if rightly handled, much
advancement is to be gained."

Edward looked with sparkling eyes at the noble youth at his side. "Never
was hound more keen on the track of a stricken hart than you on the hope
of honor, fair son," said he. "How do you conceive the matter in your
mind?"

"De Chargny and his men will be such as are worth going far to meet, for
he will have the pick of France under his banner that night. If we did
as this man says and awaited him with the same number of lances, then
I cannot think that there is any spot in Christendom where one would
rather be than in Calais that night."

"By the rood, fair son, you are right!" cried the King, his face shining
with the thought. "Now which of you, John Chandos or Walter Manny, will
take the thing in charge?" He looked mischievously from one to the other
like a master who dangles a bone betwixt two fierce old hounds. All they
had to say was in their burning, longing eyes. "Nay, John, you must not
take it amiss; but it is Walter's turn, and he shall have it."

"Shall we not all go under your banner, sire, or that of the Prince?"

"Nay, it is not fitting that the royal banners of England should be
advanced in so small an adventure. And yet, if you have space in your
ranks for two more cavaliers, both the Prince and I would ride with you
that night."

The young man stooped and kissed his father's hand.

"Take this man in your charge, Walter, and do with him as you will.
Guard well lest he betray us once again. Take him from my sight, for
his breath poisons the room. And now, Nigel, if that worthy graybeard
of thine would fain twang his harp or sing to us--but what in God's name
would you have?"

He had turned, to find his young