dient, to go portionless and penniless?
What means my father's meeting here with the King of France, who has
espoused the cause of Richard, my brother, in his rebellion, if it be
not to yield to the traitor the kingdoms _I_ have earned by my
obedience? But I will delay no longer. I have been obedient too long!
Henceforth this sword shall be my obedience!"

And as he spoke he unsheathed his weapon, and struck savagely at the
graceful branch of a fir tree before him, and brought it down crashing
at his feet. At the same instant there appeared coming towards him a
man of middle age, clad like a soldier, who saluted respectfully the
young prince.

"Whence come you, Ralph Leroche?" inquired John.

"From the meeting of the Kings of France and England."

"And what went forward there?" asked the prince, leading his companion
in among the trees.

"I know only what I am told," said the knight, "for the meeting of your
father and King Philip was secret."

"And what have you been told?" inquired John, impatiently, and with
clouding brows.

"I have been told that the King of France demanded that your father
should do him homage, and should acknowledge your brother Richard as
King of England."

"And what said my father?" broke in John.

"He said that Richard, by his conduct, deserved only the death of a
traitor, but--"

John's brow darkened as he seized Ralph's arm, and ejaculated, "But
what? did he yield? Speak!"

"But for the sake of peace he would receive him back to the heart which
he by his disobedience had wellnigh broken, and make him heir to his
crown."

"He said so, did he?" almost shouted the prince, his face livid with
fury.

"I am told so by one who knows," replied the other.

"And did he say more?"

"He blessed heaven before them all that he had one son left him who was
true to him, and in whose love he might end the shattered remnant of his
life."

Loud and cruelly laughed Prince John at those words, till the woods
echoed again. "Is it thus you comfort yourself, my father?" he
exclaimed. "Ralph," added he, in tones thick with passion, "all my life
till now I served my father, and never failed in my duty to him. Henry,
my brother, rebelled, and died in his rebellion while I was a child.
Geoffrey rebelled too, and is dead. Richard for years has been in arms
against his parent. I, of all his sons, have never lifted hand against
him. Had not I a right to look for my reward? Had not I a righ