“The king resolves,” he said, “on the strictest economy, to make this possible. He has changed his mode of living, and cut off his few pleasures, for our brother’s sake. He hopes that his nobility will follow his example.”
“The late king, my lord, was so generous to his nobles that they owe their utmost to his blessed memory.”
“Even so,” said Enrique. “But now, Sir Walter, I came here to-day to speak with you of—of the foul treason that cut off our retreat, and made my brother’s sacrifice necessary. That most accursed traitor and renegade, Brother Martin, has indeed disappeared; but it has been whispered that others—his friends and followers—knew of his intention, and that he had in some measure spread the poison of his apostasy among his followers and admirers. Think you this is so?”
Harry Hartsed, who had been standing apart with Alvarez, gave an indignant start, and coming forward, said, impetuously,—
“My lord, Brother Martin’s preaching was ever in favour of the war. He never uttered a word of treason in my hearing, and I saw much of him. I do not believe that he was the traitor.”
“Softly, softly,” said Sir Walter. “Master Harry, you speak too freely to the duke.”
“Pardon,” said Harry, doggedly; “but I will speak for my friends when falsely accused.”
“The treason of Brother Martin,” said Enrique, “has been proved by eye-witnesses. No Christian gentleman should call him his friend.”
“If I may speak,” said Alvarez, “Señor Hartsed was much with Brother Martin, and in his councils.”
“What! You dare to say that he spoke treason to me!” cried Harry.