t to
count upon the crown which my brothers' disobedience had forfeited? Had
not--"

He stopped, unable from the vehemence of his passion to proceed, and
Ralph Leroche answered calmly: "Obedience is its own reward, and worth
more than a kingdom. It is not obedience that calculates on profit.
But you know not, prince, what your father may yet have in store for
you."

"Speak not to me of my father," exclaimed John; "I hate him!"

"Heaven forgive you that word!" replied the fearless knight. "Be
advised, I entreat; and repent--"

"Dotard!" exclaimed the prince, as in blind rage he struck him in the
mouth with his clenched fist. "Keep thy advice for dogs, and not for
princes!"

How the scene would have ended, one cannot say. At that moment a
flourish of trumpets raised the echoes of the wood, and a gay procession
passed down the forest road towards Tours.

Alas, for Prince John! He recognised in the two men who rode at its
head, Philip of France, his father's enemy, and Richard, his own rebel
elder brother. Goaded by passion, burning with resentment towards his
father for the supposed injustice he had suffered, he rushed recklessly
into the arms of this sudden temptation. Striding through the thickets,
and heedless of the warnings of the loyal Ralph, he emerged on to the
road in front of the cavalcade.

The leaders halted their horses in sudden surprise.

"What brave lad have we here?" asked Philip, perplexed.

John stepped forward, and answered for himself.

"I am John Plantagenet, once son of the King of England, but now vassal
to the King of France!"

Great was the astonishment on every face, and on none more than on those
of Philip and Richard.

The latter flushed, half in anger, half in shame, as he exclaimed, "Boy,
thou art mad!"

"Nay," said Philip, "the lad is a lad of sense, and bears a worthy name
that will serve our cause exceedingly."

So saying, he summoned one of his knights, and bidding him dismount,
gave the young prince his horse, and made him ride beside him.

"But tell us, lad," he said, when they had proceeded a little way, "how
is it thy father's dutiful and cherished son (for so I have heard him
speak of thee) comes thus among the ranks of his foemen, and that at a
time like this, when peace has been almost completed?"

"Ask me no questions," replied the prince, gloomily; "I am here because
I choose."

And so they rode into Tours.

A few days later, a silent group was st