“She gave office to Philip no less,” said Hughhardly. “Will you fly at his throat when he comes into theconference hall?”

“Philip is another matter,” said Yves, flaring.“He gave over Cricklade, yes, that we know, but that wholegarrison went willingly. Do you think I do not know there could begood reasons for a man to change his allegiance? Honest reasons? Doyou think she is easy to serve? I have seen her turn cold andinsolent even to Earl Robert, seen her treat him like a peasantserf when the mood was on her. And he her sole strength, andenduring all for her sake!”

He wrung momentarily at a grief Cadfael had already divined. TheLady of the English was gallant, beautiful, contending for therights of her young son rather than for her own. All these innocentyoung men of hers were a little in love with her, wanted her to beperfect, turned indignant backs on all manifestations that she wasno such saint, but knew very well in their sore hearts all herarrogance and vindictiveness, and could not escape the pain. Thisone, at least, had got as far as blurting out the truth of hisknowledge of her.

“But this de Soulis,” said Yves, recovering histheme and his animosity, “conspired furtively to let theenemy into Faringdon, and sold into captivity all those honestknights and squires who would not go with him. And among themOlivier! If he had been honest in his own choice he would haveallowed them theirs, he would have opened the gates for them, andlet them go forth honourably in arms, to fight him again fromanother base. No, he sold them. He sold Olivier. That I do notforgive.”

“Possess your soul in patience,” said BrotherCadfael, “until we know what we most need to know, where tolook for him. Fall out with no one, for who knows which of themhere may be able to give us an answer?” And by the time weget that answer, he thought, eyeing Yves’ lowering brows andset jaw tolerantly, revenges may well have gone by the board, nolonger of any significance.