Perduccas d'Albret's troop. I had seen him in my father's company.
He heard my tale, saw me a strong, spirited lad, and knew a
d'Aubricour would be no discredit to his free lances. So he took
me as his page, and thence--but the tale would be long--I became
what you see me."

"And you have never seen your own Castle again?"

"But once. D'Albret laughed when I called on him to revenge me
on the Count de Bearn, and bade me bide my time till I met him in
battle. As to my heritage, there was no hope for that. Once, when
I had just broken with Sir Nele Loring, and left his troop, and
times were hard with me, I took my horse and rode to Albricorte,
but there was nought but the bare mountain, and the walls black
with fire. There was, indeed, a wretched shepherd and his wife,
who trembled and looked dismayed when they found that one of the
Albricortes still lived; but I could get nothing from them, unless
I had taken a sheep before me on the saddle; so I rode off again
to seek some fresh service, and, by good hap, lit on Sir Reginald
just as old Harwood was dead. All I have from my father is my
name, my shield, and an arm that I trust has disgraced neither."

"No, indeed. Yours is a strange history, Gaston; such as we dream
not of in our peaceful land. Homeless, friendless, I know not how
you can be thus gay spirited?"

"A light heart finds its way through the world the easiest," said
Gaston, smiling. "I have nothing to lose, and no sorrows to waste
time on. But are you not going forth this cool evening, Sir
Eustace? you spoke of seeking fresh tidings of the Prince."