"I feared it. I found his horse at the foot of the hill, trotting toward the castle from the West. There is blood on the saddle cloth, and the rein is cut in twain at the bit."
"Foul work!" the King exclaimed. "Send an order to the camp for a hundred men to scour the country toward the Aire, and let another fifty muster before the barbican at daybreak; then come to me." … and turning, he sauntered back to the Queen. "Come, my dear, let us go in," he said, putting his arm through hers, "I must take up some matters that Ratcliffe has brought. And do you remain, De Lacy; perchance you can aid me."
"Will you be occupied very late?" she asked, as he held back the arras.
"Only a short time, my dear. I will come to you presently," and himself closed the door behind her.
"Are you very weary?" he asked De Lacy.
"Fit for any service Your Majesty may wish."
"It will be your own service."
"Mine! Mine! … You cannot mean——" taking a step forward.
"Steady, man, steady! I mean only that Sir John's riderless horse has just been found near the castle, with severed rein and bloody saddle."
De Lacy passed his hand across his forehead.