“What brave lad have we here?” asked Philip, perplexed.
John stepped forward, and answered for himself.
“I am John Plantagenet, once son of the King of England, but now vassal to the King of France!”
Great was the astonishment on every face, and on none more than on those of Philip and Richard.
The latter flushed, half in anger, half in shame, as he exclaimed, “Boy, thou art mad!”
“Nay,” said Philip, “the lad is a lad of sense, and bears a worthy name that will serve our cause exceedingly.”
So saying, he summoned one of his knights, and bidding him dismount, gave the young prince his horse, and made him ride beside him.
“But tell us, lad,” he said, when they had proceeded a little way, “how is it thy father’s dutiful and cherished son (for so I have heard him speak of thee) comes thus among the ranks of his foemen, and that at a time like this, when peace has been almost completed?”
“Ask me no questions,” replied the prince, gloomily; “I am here because I choose.”
And so they rode into Tours.