"But not to promise payment of the ransom?"
"Not in plain words. Write that ere the Feast of Saint Silvester the demands of the Lord of Malevereux will be met. That need be all; thy husband's squire can deliver the message, since he hath been promised safe conduct."
"But will the Tyrant keep to his word concerning the good treatment of Oswald?" demurred the Lady Bertha. "It is hardly meet that the lad should be placed in the power of this recreant knight."
"For my part I care but little, fair lady," said Sir Oliver's squire. "Since my place is with my lord—and 'twas not my doing that I was compelled to leave him at Malevereux—I'll bear the letter to Sir Yves in person. Should he think fit to keep his word, well and good; otherwise I must rest content that I am to be kept in durance with Sir Oliver."
"Well spoken, squire," exclaimed Sir Thomas Carberry. "See to it that thy actions are as brave as thy speech. Now, there is yet another point. Who holds the Castle of Taillemartel in Sir Oliver's absence?"
The châtelaine did not reply. Instinctively she realized the motive of the question.
"Hath my son said aught to thee concerning his wish to go Franceward?" she asked.
"Fair lady, he hath," replied the knight. "Moreover, 'tis right and meet that he, as Sir Oliver's son, should hold Taillemartel in his father's absence. Thrust aside thy feelings as a mother, Lady Bertha, and make a sacrifice to duty. The lad, from what I know of him—and that is not a little—hath courage, wisdom, and discretion beyond his years. Let him have the ordering of Taillemartel, and I'll warrant he'll prove a right worthy limb of the old Lysle stock."
"And what can be done towards the actual setting free of my husband?"
"Concerning myself, this affair could not have happened at a more inopportune time. Until I learn King Harry's wishes I am tied to my Castle of Portchester; otherwise would I right gladly take a troop of lances, add them to the garrison of Taillemartel, and together they would have the Castle of Malevereux about its owner's ears in less than a week. Did Sir Oliver ever mention the name of Sir Raoul d'Aulx, seigneur of Maissons?"