Under King Henry's Banners: A story of the days of Agincourt

by Percy F. Westerman

"Then thou art willing to set him at liberty in exchange for thy sire?"

"My father I hope to regain by virtue of the success of our arms in the taking of this castle of Maissons. As for Sir Raoul, 'tis my purpose to receive two thousand crowns for his ransom."

"Like the rest of these Englishmen, thou wouldst place money before honour?" said the girl scornfully. "No doubt it was for that purpose alone that his life was spared?"

Geoffrey coloured at the unjust taunt. He shrank from telling how he had rescued Sir Raoul at the risk of his own life and honour, and that he had demanded the ransom solely on account of the archers, whose offers of quarter the knight had resolutely refused.

"'Tis the usage of war on both sides, fair lady," he replied with a dignity equal to her own. "But of that anon. Oswald, do thou conduct the Lady Aimée to her apartments, and see that none of the men-at-arms venture upon her privacy."

Then turning to an old servitor, who, by reason of a bunch of keys hanging from his girdle, was evidently custodian of the keep—

"Hasten thee, rascal, take me to the Lord of Warblington's quarters—or prison, whichever it be."

Obediently the man complied, and soon Geoffrey was grasping his father by the hand. His long quest had ended at last.

Sir Oliver's quarters were plainly yet comfortably furnished, and were situated in a part of the domestic buildings of the castle. Under his promise not to break faith with his captor unless ransomed or rescued, he had been allowed almost complete freedom, being at liberty to hunt in an adjoining forest, or to wander in or about the castle. Punctilious towards his captor and strictly true to his parole, the Lord of Warblington had endured his detention with fortitude, though his thoughts were ever speeding towards his wife and home across the English Channel.

For the space of nearly two hours father and son remained in eager and joyous converse, while the soldiers were feasting in the courtyard of the castle, till the necessity of rejoining the English camp became apparent.