"Hands that grasp what they do not need," replied Ned boldly. "But Master Royston takes a sword where he finds it, uses it against whom he pleases, and wields it for himself."
"The fault, Monseigneur, of this broil is wholly mine," interposed M. de Rondiniacque.
"Lieutenant de Rondiniacque," replied the Prince, "I know your generous nature, and for once mistrust it. What is the occasion of the broil, as you name it?"
With some hesitation M. de Rondiniacque answered that it was a quarrel—about a woman.
His Highness laughed drily. "I fear, Lieutenant," he said, "that to protect a man that was once your friend, you play very nobly upon our knowledge of your weakness."
"Indeed, sire," said De Rondiniacque, "it is as I say. I did wrong a lady, mistaking her for another kind."
"And did 'William and all his army' likewise wrong this lady?" asked the Prince.
"Indeed, no, Your Highness," replied De Rondiniacque.
"Then I must believe, Lieutenant," the Prince continued, "that it is for no kiss to a pretty girl, but for holding my commission, that you were even now in danger of your life. We have it from his own lips that he had as lief kill me as you." Then, as the generous fellow would again have spoken in endeavor to put the matter in a better aspect, "No more, sir," said His Highness; "stand aside." He then proceeded to address Captain Royston.
"Sir," he said, "I spared your life of late. But I did warn you that if found again in our neighborhood, or raising hand against us, were it never so little, you were like to get such treatment as we give to spies." And, turning to the officers and gentlemen that had entered the hall in his company, he added: "How think you, gentlemen?"