my
children, and all my household are your prisoners, to be dealt with
according to your good pleasure, in person and goods; but, knowing the
nobleness of your heart, I am come to entreat you humbly to have pity on
us, and extend to us your wonted generosity. Here is a little present we
make you; and we pray that you may be pleased to take it in good part."

She opened the box which the servant held, and Bayard saw that it was
filled with golden coins. The free-hearted knight, who had never in his
life troubled himself about money, burst out laughing, and said,--

"Madam, how many ducats are there in this box?"

His action, so different from what she expected, frightened the poor
woman. Thinking it to indicate that the sum was below his expectations,
she said hurriedly,--

"My lord, there are but two thousand five hundred ducats; but, if you
are not content, we will find a larger sum."

"By my faith, madam," he warmly replied, "though you should give a
hundred thousand crowns, you would not do as well towards me as you have
done by the good cheer I have had here and the kind attendance you have
given me. In whatsoever place I may happen to be, you will have, so long
as God shall grant me life, a gentleman at your bidding. As for your
ducats, I will have none of them, and yet I thank you; take them back;
all my life I have always loved people much more than crowns. And take
my word for it that I go away as well pleased with you as if this town
were at your disposal and you had given it to me."

The good lady listened to him with deep astonishment. Never had she
dreamed of such a marvel as this, a soldier who did not crave money. She
was really distressed by his decision.

"My lord," she said, "I shall feel myself the most wretched creature in
the world if you will not take this small present, which is nothing in
comparison with your past courtesy and present kindness."

Seeing how firm she was in her purpose, he said, with a gentle smile,--

"Well, then, I will take it for love of you; but go and fetch me your
two daughters, for I would fain bid them farewell."

Much pleased with his acceptance, the lady left the room in search of
her daughters, whom the knight knew well, for they had solaced many of
the weary hours of his illness with pleasant chat, and music from their
voices and from the lute and spinet, on which they played agreeably.
While awaiting them he bade the servant to empty the box and count the