believing that he was coming at full speed to seek my Lord the
Prince's protection for the child, a convenient excuse for eluding
the inquiries of justice into his brawls at the funeral, as well
as for the rents which he carried off with him; but somewhat
inconsistent when it is not for five months that he makes his
appearance at Bordeaux, and then in the society of a band of
_routiers_."

"It shall be inquired into," said the Prince.

"Nay, nay, my Lord," said Fulk, "may I pray you of your royal goodness
to press the matter no further. He is still young, and it were a pity
to cast dishonour on a name which has hitherto been honourable. Since
my young cousin is safe, I would desire no more, save to guard him
from his future machinations. For his brother's sake, my Lord, I
would plead with you."

"Little did I think such things of him," said the Prince, "when I
laid knighthood on his shoulder in the battle-field of Navaretta;
yet I remember even then old Chandos chid me for over-hastiness.
Poor old Chandos, he has a rough tongue, but a true heart!"

"And, under favour, I would say," answered Clarenham, "that it
might have been those early-won honours that turned the head of
such a mere youth, so entirely without guidance, or rather, with
the guidance of that dissolute Squire, who, I grieve to observe,
still haunts his footsteps. Knighthood, with nought to maintain
it, is, in truth, a snare."

"Well, I am weary of the subject," said the Prince, leaning back in