For answer Geoffrey's steel-grey eyes looked steadfastly into the dark glistening orbs of the Norman maiden. Then courteously and reverently he raised her hand to his lips.
When Geoffrey Lysle rode away from the Castle of Maissons he took with him the heart of the Lady Aimée d'Aulx.
True to his promise Geoffrey and his men-at-arms regained at dawn the English camp, where Sir Oliver received a rousing welcome, not only from his own retainers, but from the many knights who regarded him with the warmest feelings of esteem.
Though the men-at-arms who had carried out the raid on Maissons had had little rest, there was scant time for leisure. The army had to resume its march to Calais, where, accompanied by a vast host of prisoners, Henry arrived without let or hindrance.
Here, safe within the walls of that fortress, a council was held at which it was recognized that the only thing to be done at present was to return to England. A rest of several days was allowed to the hard-worked troops, during which time most of the prisoners, save those of higher rank, were permitted to depart upon payment of their ransoms and the promise to take no active part against the invaders.
Amongst the released captives was Sir Raoul d'Aulx. The two thousand crowns received by Geoffrey were handed over to the men to whom the ransom had already been promised. The French knight took farewell of Sir Oliver and his son with the utmost good humour, for the bonds of old comradeship betwixt the Lord of Warblington and the Seigneur of Maissons were too strong to be severed by the quarrels of two nations.
At length, in the middle of November, the King with his victorious forces recrossed the Channel. At Dover the enthusiasm was intense, the townsfolk rushing knee-deep into the icy cold water to bear their national idol ashore, while the streets were hung with bright colours in honour of the brave.
Thence, after a few days' rest in the castle, Henry resumed his triumphal progress to London, attended by his nobles, knights, and soldiers, and accompanied by his prisoners.
But Sir Oliver Lysle did not bear his sovereign company. Since he had not taken an active part in the campaign he was loth to share in the welcome extended to the veterans of that perilous march from Harfleur to Calais. So, obtaining permission to withdraw, he returned to Warblington Castle, whither Geoffrey and Oswald hastened after the festivities in London were concluded.