"Gaston would never persuade me to disgrace my spurs for the sake
of danger," replied Eustace. "Have you no better learnt the laws
of chivalry in the Prince's household, Arthur? Besides, remember
old Ralph's proverb, 'Fore-warned is fore-armed.' Think you not
that Gaston, and honest Ingram, and I may not be a match for a
dozen cowardly traitors? Besides which, see here the gold allotted
me to raise more men, with which I will obtain some honest hearts
for my defence--and it will go hard with me if I cannot find Sir
Renaud's secret door."

"Then, if you will go, uncle, take, take me with you--I could, at
least, watch the door; and I know how to hit a mark with a cross-
bow as well as Lord Harry of Lancaster himself."

"Take you, Master Arthur? What! steal away the Prince's page that
I have been at such pains to bring hither, and carry him to a nest
of traitors! Why, it would be the very way to justify Clarenham's
own falsehoods."

"And of the blackest are they!" said Arthur. "Think, uncle, of my
standing by to hear him breathing his poison to the Prince, and the
preventing him from searching to find out the truth, by pretending a
regard for my father's name, and your character. Oh that our noble
Prince should be deluded by such a recreant, and think scorn of such
a Knight as you!"

"I trust yet to prove to him that it is a delusion," said Eustace.
"Many a Knight at twenty-two has yet to make his name and fame.
Mine, thanks to Du Guesclin and the Prince himself, is already made,
and though clouded for a time, with the grace of our Lady and of St.