"There will be a battle, Joan, will there not?"
Joan of the Sword Hand nodded. She took a long breath and drew her head further back. Margaret noted the action.
"It is very well for you, Joan," she said; "I know you are more than half a man. Every one says so. And then you do not love any one, and you like fighting. But—you may laugh if you will—I am not going to let my husband fight. I want you to let him go to Plassenburg till it is over!"
Joan laughed aloud.
"And you?" she said, still smiling good-naturedly.
It was now Margaret's turn to draw herself up.
"You are not kind!" she said. "I am asking you a favour for my husband, not for myself. Of course I should accompany him! I at least am free to come and go!"
"My dear, my dear," said Joan gently, "you are at liberty to propose this to your husband! If he comes and asks me, he shall not lack permission."
"You mean he would not go to Plassenburg even if I asked him?"
"I know he would not—he, the bravest soldier, the best knight——"