"My lord, my lord," he cried, fearfully. "What is your purpose?"

The prince looked him between the eyes, and his lips curled in a
smile that was not altogether sweet.

"I am going to beg Cardinal Corrado to have compassion on me," he
answered, subtly mocking, and on that he swung down from his
horse, and tossed the reins to a man-at-arms.

Into the inn he clanked, Moniz and Nunes following closely. He
thrust aside the vinter who, not knowing him, would have hindered
him, great lord though he seemed, from disturbing the holy guest
who was honouring the house. He strode on, and into the room
where the Cardinal with his noble nephews sat at dinner.

At sight of him, fearing violence, Giannino and Pierluigi came
instantly to their feet, their hands upon their daggers. But
Cardinal da Corrado sat unmoved. He looked up, a smile of
ineffable gentleness upon his ascetic face.

"I had hoped that you would come after me, my son," he said. "If
you come a penitent, then has my prayer been heard."

"A penitent!" cried Affonso Henriques. He laughed wickedly, and
plucked his dagger from its sheath.

Sancho Nunes, in terror, set a detaining hand upon his prince's
arm.

"My lord," he cried in a voice that shook, "you will not strike