"And have you been at Mortimer's ever since that time?" the king asked.
Oswald noticed that each time Mortimer's name was mentioned, the king's brow was somewhat clouded.
"Not so, your majesty. I returned to the north, with Percy's men, a few days after the capture of Glendower's house. I came back to Ludlow in the spring."
"Why did Sir Henry Percy despatch you there again?" the king asked, sharply.
"From what he said, sire, it was because he was anxious to know whether the rebellion was growing, fearing that there might be some correspondence between Glendower and the Scots; and that, if it should come to a point when you might have to lead the whole force of the south to put the Welsh down, the Scots might make a great irruption into the northern counties, and it would be needful for him to keep a larger body of men than usual under arms; as the earl, his father, and the Earl of Westmoreland, would have to stand the whole brunt of the matter, for a time, without aid from the south."
The king's brow cleared.
"It was a thoughtful act of Sir Henry," he said; "and 'tis like enough that the Scots will, as you say, take advantage of our troubles here; and it is well, therefore, that the Lords of the Northern Marches should hold themselves in readiness.
"What think you, Talbot? It seems to me that the bold service this esquire has performed merits reward."
"I think so, indeed," the earl said. "It was a singular act of courage."
The king drew his sword from his scabbard.