"Lady, thou lookest sad; hath aught grieved thee or any one injured
thee? the vow of knighthood compels my aid to the distressed."

It was the woman they had noted at the fireside.

"Thou art Simon de Montfort," she said.

"I am; how dost thou know me?"

"I have met thee before, under other guise. Is liberty dear to
thee?"

"Without it life is worthless--but who or what threatens it?"

"The outlaws, amongst whom thou hast fallen."

"They will not harm me. I have eaten of their salt."

"Nay, but they will hold thee to ransom, and detain thee till it is
brought: I heard them amerce thee at a thousand marks."

"In that case, as I do not wish to winter here, I had better up and
away; but who will be my guide?"

"My son; but thou must do me a service in return--thou must charge
thyself with his welfare, for after guiding thee he can return here
no more."

"But canst thou part with thine own son?"