t is
only you, Lord Edward, who never make game of me for doing so--though,
I trow, I have taught Pierre de Greilly to let my uncle's name alone."

"Truly, you did so," said Edward, laughing, "and he has scarce yet lost
his black eye. But I love to hear your tales, Arthur, of that quiet
Castle, and the old Blanc Etoile, and your uncle, who taught you to
ride. Sit down here on the grass, and tell me more. But what are you
staring at so fixedly? At the poor jaded horse, that yonder
man-at-arms is urging on so painfully?"

"'Tis--No, it is not--Yes, 'tis Brigliador, and John Ingram himself,"
cried Arthur. "Oh, my uncle! my uncle!" And, in one moment, he had
bounded across the ditch, which fenced in their exercising ground, and
had rushed to meet Ingram. "Oh, John!" exclaimed he, breathlessly,
"have they done it? Oh, tell me of Uncle Eustace! Is he alive?"

"Master Arthur!" exclaimed Ingram, stopping his wearied horse.

"Oh, tell me, Ingram," reiterated Arthur, "is my uncle safe?"

"He is alive, Master Arthur--that is, he was when I came away, but as
sore wounded as ever I saw a Knight. And the butcher of Brittany is
upon them by this time! And here I am sent to ask succours--and I know
no more whom to address myself, than the cock at the top of Lynwood
steeple!"

"But what has chanced, John?--make haste, and tell me."

And John, in his own awkward and confused style, narrated how he had
been entrapped by Sanchez, and the consequences of his excess. "But,"
said he, "I have vowed to our Lady of Taunton, and St. Joseph of
Glastonbury, that never again--"

Arthur had covered his face with his hands, and gave way to tears of
indignation and grief, as he felt his helplessness. But one hand was
kindly withdrawn, and a gentle voice said, "Weep not, Arthur, but come
with me, and my father will send relief to the Castle, and save your
uncle."

"You here, Lord Edward?" exclaimed Arthur, who had not perceived that
the Prince had followed him. "Oh yes, thanks, thanks! None but the
Prince can save him. Oh, let me see him myself, and that instantly!"

"Then, let us come," said Edward, still holding Arthur's hand.

Arthur set off at such a pace, as to press the little Prince into a
breathless trot by his side; but he, too, was all eagerness, and
scorned to complain. They proceeded without interruption to the court
of the palace. Edward, leading the way, hastened to his mother's
apartments. He threw open the d