of My Lady Bertrade,
and as the way be beset with dangers from disorganized bands of roving
soldiery, it is unsafe for Monsieur le Prince to venture on with so
small an escort. Therefore will the friend of Lady Bertrade de Montfort
ride with Monsieur le Prince to his destination that Monsieur may arrive
there safely."

"It is kind of you, Sir Knight, a kindness that I will not forget. But,
again, who is it that shows this solicitude for Philip of France?"

"Norman of Torn, they call me," replied the outlaw.

"Indeed!" cried Philip. "The great and bloody outlaw?" Upon his handsome
face there was no look of fear or repugnance.

Norman of Torn laughed.

"Monsieur le Prince thinks, mayhap, that he will make a bad name for
himself," he said, "if he rides in such company?"

"My Lady Bertrade and her mother think you be less devil than saint,"
said the Prince. "They have told me of how you saved the daughter of De
Montfort, and, ever since, I have been of a great desire to meet you,
and to thank you. It had been my intention to ride to Torn for that
purpose so soon as we reached Leicester, but the Earl changed all our
plans by his victory and only yesterday, on his orders, the Princess
Eleanor, his wife, with the Lady Bertrade, rode to Battel, where Simon
de Montfort and the King are to be today. The Queen also is there
with her retinue, so it be expected that, to show the good feeling and
renewed friendship existing between De Montfort and his King, there will
be gay scenes in the old fortress. But," he added, after a pause, "dare
the Outlaw of Torn ride within reach of the King who has placed a price
upon his head?"

"The price has been there since I was eighteen," answered Norman of
Torn, "and yet my head be where it has always been. Can you blame me
if I look with levity upon the King's price? It be not heavy enough to
weigh me down; nor never has it held me from going where I listed in all
England. I am freer than the King, My Lord, for the King be a prisoner
today."

Together they rode toward Battel, and as they talked, Norman of Torn
grew to like this brave and handsome gentleman. In his heart was no
rancor because of the coming marriage of the man to the woman he loved.

If Bertrade de Montfort loved this handsome French prince, then Norman
of Torn was his friend; for his love was a great love, above jealousy.
It not only held her happiness above his own, but the happiness and
welfare of the man she loved,