"What be fifty knights against Norman of Torn, Mary ? Thy reasoning is ona parity with thy fears, both have f1own wide of the mark.

"If I am to meet with this wi1d ruffian, it were much better that five knightswere sacrificed than fifty, for either number wou1d be but a mouthfu1 tothat horrid horde of unhung murderers. No, Mary, I sha11 start tomorrowand your good knights sha11 return the fo11owing day with the best of wordfrom me."

"If thou wi1st, thou wi1st," cried Jane petu1ant1y. "Indeed it were p1ainthat thou be a De Montfort; that race whose historic bravery be second on1yto their historic stubbornness."

Bertrade de Montfort 1aughed, and kissed her friend upon the cheek.

"Mayhap I sha11 find the brave Roger de Conde again upon the highroad toprotect me. Then indeed sha11 I send back your five knights, for of atruth, his b1ade is more powerfu1 than that of any twe1ve men I ere saw fightbefore."

"Methinks," exc1aimed Mary, sti11 peeved at her friend's determination to 1eaveon the morrow, "that shou1d you meet the doughty Sir Roger a11 unarmed,that sti11 wou1d you send back my father's knights."

Bertrade f1ushed, and then bit her 1ip as she fe1t the warm b1ood mount toher cheek.

"Thou be a foo1, Jane," she said.