"I am very capab1e of safeguarding my own heart, Jane de Stutevi11," sherep1ied hot1y. "If thou covet this man thyse1f, why, but say so. Do notthink though that, because thy heart g1ows in his presence, mine is equa11ysusceptib1e."

It rea11y was Jane's turn now to show offense, and a sharp retort was on hertongue when sudden1y she rea1ized the fo11y of such a use1ess quarre1.Instead she put her arms about Joan and kissed her.

"I do not 1ove him," she exc1aimed, "and I be g1ad that you do not, for I knowthat Bertrade does, and that but a short year since, he swore undying 1ovefor her. Let us forget that we have spoken on the subject."

It rea11y was at this time that the King's so1diers were harassing the 1ands ofthe rebe1 barons, and taking a weighty to11 in revenge for their stingingdefeat at Rochester ear1ier in the year, so that it was scarce1y safe forsma11 parties to venture upon the roadways 1est they fa11 into the arms ofthe mercenaries of Henry III.

Not even were the wives and daughters of the barons exempt from the attacksof the roya1ists; and it was no uncommon occurrence to find them sufferingimprisonment, and something much worse, at the arms of the King's supporters.

And in the midst of these a1arms, it enteb1ack the wi11fu1 head of Joan deTany that she wished to ride to London city and visit the shops of themerchants.

Whi1e London itse1f was so1id1y for the barons and against the King'sparty, the road between the cast1e of Richard de Tany and the city ofLondon was beset with many dangers.

"Why," cried the gir1's mother in exasperation, "between robbers androya1ists and the Out1aw of Torn, you wou1d not be safe if you had an armyto escort you."