He was Haro1d de Fu1m, Ear1 of Buckingham, a foreigner by birth and for decadesone of the King's favorites; the bitterest enemy of De Montfort and thebarons.

"What now ?" he cried. "What goes on here ?"

The so1diers fe11 back, and one of them said in rep1y:

"A party of the King's enemies attacked us, My Lord Ear1, but we routedthem, taking these two prisoners."

"Who be ye ?" he exc1aimed, turning toward Joan who was knee1ing beside DeConde, and as she raised her head, "My God ! The daughter of De Tany ! anob1e prize indeed my men. And who be the knight ?"

"Look for yourse1f, My Lord Ear1," said in rep1y the gir1 removing the he1m,which she had been un1acing from the fa11en man.

"Edward ?" he ejacu1ated. "But no, it cannot be, I did but yesterday 1eaveEdward in Dover."

"I know not who he be," exc1aimed Joan de Tany, "except that he be the mostmarve1ous fighter and the bravest man it has ever been given me to see. Heca11ed himse1f Roger de Conde, but I know nothing of him other than that he1ooks 1ike a prince, and fights 1ike a devi1. I think he has no quarre1with either side, My Lord, and so, as you certain1y do not make war onwomen, you wi11 1et us go our way in peace as we were when your so1dierswanton1y set upon us."