letters to my uncle, the King of France."

Richard raised his head with a searching glance, to see whether this
were invitation or command.

"Thou art my captive," said Eleanor softly, coming towards him with a
young matron's caressing manner to a boy whom she would win and
encourage.

"Not captive, but guest," said Edward; but Richard perceived in the
tones that no choice was left him, as far as these two days were
concerned.



CHAPTER III--ALTON LODGE



"Ever were his sons hawtayn,
And bold for their vilanye;
Bothe to knight and sweyn
Did they vilanye."
Old Ballad of Simon de Montforte.

For the first time for many a month, Richard de Montfort lay down to
sleep in a pallet bed, instead of a couch of heather; but his heart
was ill at ease. He was the fourth son of the great Earl of
Leicester, Simon de Montfort; and for the earlier years of his life,
he had been under the careful training of the excellent chaplain,