r stern-looking man, strode
forward until he reached the dais where the family sat; and then,
doffing his crowned helmet, addressed himself to Sir Godfrey Foljambe.

"Sir, I give you good even. King Edward your Lord greets you by me, and
bids you give good heed to that which you shall find herein."

At a motion from the Duke, quick and peremptory, one of his knights
stepped forth and delivered the royal letter.

Sir Godfrey took it into his hands with a low reverence, and bade his
seneschal fetch Father Jordan, without whose assistance it was
impossible for him to ascertain his Sovereign's bidding.

Father Jordan hastened in, cut the silken string, and read the letter.

"Messire,--Our will and pleasure is, that you shall entertain in your
Manor of Hazelwood, for such time as shall be his pleasure, our very
dear and well-beloved son, John, Duke of Brittany and Count de Montfort,
neither letting nor deferring the said Duke from intercourse with our
prisoner his mother, Margaret, Duchess of Brittany, but shall suffer him
to speak with her at his will. And for so doing this shall be your
warrant. By the King. At our Castle of Winchester, the morrow of Saint
Romanus."

Lady Foljambe turned to the Duke and inquired when it would be his
pleasure to speak with the prisoner.

"When her physician counts it meet," said he, with a slight movement of
his shapely shoulders, which did not augur much gratification at the
prospect before him. "By my faith, had not King Edward my father
insisted thereon, then had I never come on so idle a journey. When I
looked every morrow for news from Bretagne, bidding me most likely
thither, to trot over half England for an old dame's diversion were
enough to try the patience of any knight on earth! I shall not tarry
long here, I do ensure you, his Highness' bidding fulfilled; and I trust
your physician shall not long tarry me."

Sir Godfrey and Lady Foljambe were full of expressions of sympathy.
Lady Basset came forward, and spoke in a slightly cynical tone.

"Good morrow, my Lord," said she to her brother. "You came not to see
me, I think, more in especial as I shall one of these days be an old
woman, when your Grace's regard for me shall perish. Father Jordan, I
pray you, let it not be long ere you give leave for this loving son to
have speech of his mother. 'Twere pity he should break his heart by
tarrying."

Father Jordan nervously intimated that if the Countess were not asl