So the garrison were called together into the great hall, and told how that their lives were saved, and that they were to march out of Castle Blauncheflour with banners flying, and all the honours of war, instead of having their feet cut off like poor Stephen le Hareau and the other prisoners the king's men had taken; and the men, who had looked forward to certain ill-fortune for themselves, whatever might betide their superiors, thought it a victory also.
How the hall rang with cheers, and congratulations, and praise of the countess! Norman and Breton, Saxon and Dane, raised what voices hunger had left them, and verily they shouted lustily, notwithstanding a light breakfast.
The countess stood amongst them, sobbing like a child.
'No praise is due to me; it is all to you, my gallant defenders.'
So the answer went back to Earl William de Warrenne that the keys of Castle Blauncheflour should be surrendered on the morrow.
Then all the garrison attended a 'Te Deum' in the chapel of St. Nicholas.
Afterwards, when the knights had again assembled in the great hall, the countess said,—
'Leofric Ealdredsson, these gentlemen, thy comrades in arms, shame themselves that they should wear the belt and spurs while one who has fought so knightly should not claim them. We well know thou hast them not solely because thou wert too careless to claim them, but I would not have thee leave Blauncheflour undubbed.'
Leofric's pale hunger-eaten cheeks turned red with pleasure.
'If the men who have fought with me here esteem me peer, I will not reject the honour,' he answered; at which the hall rang with cheers.