g
Princess Joan's ladies."

The two Knights had next to arrange some matters respecting the
garrison; Sir John leaving a sufficient number of men to secure the
castle in case of a second attack. He was somewhat inclined to leave
Master Henry Neville to command them; but consideration for Eustace and
Gaston induced him to spare the young gentleman a sojourn which he
would have regarded as so far from enviable. Nor was the leech more
desirous of a lengthened stay with a patient whom he suspected to be
unable to requite him for the discomfort which he might endure in his
service. He therefore pronounced Sir Eustace to stand in no further
need of his attentions; and recommending rest, and providing him with
good store of remedies, he saddled his mule to accompany Sir John
Chandos.

The old Commander took his leave, with many kind wishes for Sir
Eustace's speedy recovery, and promises that he should ere long hear
from Bordeaux. In ten minutes more Arthur, standing at the window,
announced that the troop was riding off, with Clisson's pennon borne
among them in triumph, and Sanchez and his accomplices, with their
hands tied, and their feet fastened together beneath the bodies of
their horses.

CHAPTER XVI

Four or five weeks had passed away since Sir John Chandos had quitted
the Chateau Norbelle.

The Knight had nearly recovered his full strength, but still wore his
broken arm in a scarf, when, one evening, as he was sitting on the
battlements, delighting the ears of Arthur and of Gaston with an
interminable romance of chivalry, three or four horseman, bearing the
colours and badges of the Black Prince, were descried riding towards
the Castle. Knight, Squire, and Page instantly descended to the
courtyard, which, in short space, was entered by the messengers, the
principal of whom, an elderly man-at-arms, respectfully saluted the
Knight, and delivered to him a parchment scroll, tied with silk of
scarlet and blue, supporting the heavy seal of the Prince of Wales and
Duke of Aquitaine, and addressed to the hands of the honourable Knight
Banneret Sir Eustace Lynwood, Castellane of the Chateau Norbelle. This
document bore the signature of Edward himself, and contained his
mandate to Eustace, to come immediately to his court at Bordeaux,
leaving the command of the Chateau Norbelle to the bearer.

The old man-at-arms was closely questioned all the evening respecting
the state of the court, but he could give lit