"She must like you greatly, to be willing?"

"Hardly could I say, she's that. But that would be small matter if I
could but get the Church to sanction the deed. Yet have I hope that
if I could get your king's goodwill, he could persuade the Pope on his
visit to Rome. And there, good friend, you could help me greatly and
well would I repay such kindness."

Not once did Sir Launcelot permit the hot temper within him to be
unloosed. Played he so well with the wicked knight that it was but a
few days thereafter Sir Dolphus invited him to visit with him the
young damsel who was kept within prison walls. Never once did the
knight demur or permit the other to think that he did not sympathize
and agree with his plans.

As they walked away from the prison door, he turned to the other.
"Strange that she should be all alone. Has she no one who would make
you trouble?"

"Her father went forth with the Duke and others among us to the land
of the infidels. On our way back, in Lombardy, our small force was
overcome by disaster. But three of us escaped, I know not what
happened to the others. Then it was, I decided to possess the land of
the Sanscourt and told the Lady Jeanne that her husband wished and
commanded that her daughter Helene marry me. But she would have none
of this. So that I had to steal the damsel. And when her brother came
here to rescue her, we overcame the helpless youth. He would not have
lived had I my way, but the others would not permit that and so we
have him safely lodged in the dungeon below and I fancy he will not
abuse our hospitality for long."