have a brother, who should have been the one to perform this duty andservice.” Her voice shook slightly, and gallantly recovered. “Whenyour Grace assumed the crown, my brother Giles took the part of the EmpressMaud, and after an open quarrel with my father, left home to join her party. Ido not know where he is now, though we have heard rumours that he made his wayto her in France. I could not leave your Grace in ignorance of the dissensionthat grieves me as it must you. I hope you will not therefore refuse what I canbring, but use it freely, as my father would have wished, and as I wish.”

She heaved a great sigh, as if she had thrown off a weight. The king wasenchanted. He drew her by the hand and kissed her heartily on the cheek. To judgeby the look on his face, Courcelle was envying him the opportunity.

“God forbid, child,” said the king, “that I should add anymorsel to your sorrows, or fail to lift what I may of them. With all my heart Itake your fealty, as dear to me as that of earl or baron, and thank you foryour pains taken to help me. And now show me what I can do to serve you, forthere can be no fit lodging for you here in a military camp, and I hear youhave made no provision as yet for yourself. It will soon be evening.”

“I had thought,” she said timidly, “that I might lodge inthe abbey guest house, if we can get a boat to put us across the river.”

“Certainly you shall have safe escort over the river, and our requestto the abbot to give you one of the grace houses belonging to the abbey, whereyou may be private but protected, until we can spare a safe escort to see youto your home.” He looked about him for a ready messenger, and could notwell miss Adam Courcelle’s glowing eagerness. The young man had brightchestnut hair, and eyes of the same burning brown, and knew that he stood wellwith his king. “Adam, will you conduct Mistress Siward, and see hersafely installed?”