At length appeared the magnificent escort of the king, who immediately rode up to the little hill on which Lorenzo was posted, and gazed forward towards the town, while two more shot from the walls were heard, and a slight agitation among the Gascon infantry on the left, told that this time some effect had followed.
At the king's first appearance, Lorenzo had sprung to the ground, and approached his stirrup, but he suffered him to gaze over the scene uninterrupted, till Charles turned his eyes upon him, and said:
"Well, what has happened, my young lord?"
"Nothing, sire, but that they have fired a few shots at us from the walls. I beseech your majesty, as I have led all the way, to let me have my place in the attack. I would fain lead still, if you will permit me to dismount my men, and I think I will show you that gentlemen-at-arms can take a place as well as foot soldiers. I have marked a spot where I will undertake to force an entrance."
"Where? where?" asked the monarch, eagerly.
"I cannot well point it out, sire," replied the young man; "but I can find it if you will permit me."
The king looked round to the superior officers about him, saying in a hesitating tone:
"It is contrary to the order we proposed. What say you, La Tremouille?"
"Why, sire, there must be enfans perdu either taken from the Gascons or some other," replied the great commander.
"Let him go--let him go!" cried De Vitry, gaily; "if the youth will wager his life against his spurs, why let him go, sire."