, talking
volubly of his avarice and misdeeds in general. But why, cried one of
them, should they be content with so tame a thing as scurrilous speech?
Were not men of the sword more doughty than men of the robe? he added;
and thereupon a wild shout was raised by the revellers, and they swore
that they would sally forth instantly and slay him whom they all loathed
so passionately.

It happened that, even as they set out, the bishop was returning from
a visit to a remote part of his diocese; and being wholly unprepared
to cope with a gang of desperadoes like these, he fell an easy prey to
their attack. But the Church in medieval days did not take acts of this
sort passively, and the matter being investigated, and it transpiring
that The Mount had been the rallying ground of the murderers, a band of
troops was sent to raze Sir Balther's castle and slay its inmates. The
news, meanwhile, reached the fair Liba's fiance, Sir Sibert, and knowing
well that, in the event of The Mount being stormed by the avenging
party, death or an equally terrible fate might befall his betrothed,
the lover felt sad indeed. He hastened to the King and implored his
intervention; on this being refused, he proposed that he himself should
join the besiegers, at the same time carrying with him a royal pardon
for Liba, for what concern had she with her father's crimes? His Majesty
was persuaded to give the requisite document to Sir Sibert, who then
hied him at full speed to The Mount, there to find the siege going
forward. The walls of the castle were strong, and as yet the inmates
were showing a good fight; but as day after day went past their strength
and resources began to wane, and anon it seemed as though they could
not possibly hold out longer. Accordingly the soldiers redoubled their
efforts to effect a breach, which being compassed ultimately, they
rushed upon the little garrison; and now picture the consternation of
Liba when she found that her own lover was among the assailants of her
home! Amid the din of battle he called to her loudly, once and again,
telling her that he carried a royal pardon for her, and that all she had
to do was to forsake her father and follow her betrothed instead. But in
the din of battle she did not hear, or mistook the tenor of his words;
and ere he could make himself understood the garrison of the castle
began to yield, and a moment later the building was in flames. Many of
the besieged were burnt to death, but L