My sister was certainly very beautiful, and I could not wonder to see the numbers of handsome and highborn cavaliers who clustered around her that evening. But Jeanne was staunch and leal, and, though courteous to all, it was in the company of her old friends Felix and Roger she found her chief pleasure.
We four were chatting together, and Felix was describing in his lively way some of our adventures, when Henry of Bearn drew near.
"Le Blanc," he exclaimed, looking at me, "surely it is Le Blanc!" and taking my arm he added jovially, "come with me, I must present you specially to my mother. She ought to know to whom she is indebted for her son's life."
Jeanne looked at me in surprise, and as we moved away I heard Felix saying, "I warrant he never told you a word of that. By my faith, one could hardly blame him had he cried it from the housetops!"
Meanwhile the prince marched up the room, his arm placed affectionately on my shoulder, and presented me to the gracious lady who was such a tower of strength to the Cause.
"Madame," he said in his hearty way, "this is the cavalier of whom I spoke. But for his courage Henry of Bearn would have been left lying on the field at Arnay-le-Duc."
She gave me her hand to kiss, and thanked me graciously, saying that while she or her son lived I should not want a true friend.
"Madame," I replied, "in taking my sister under your gracious protection you have already shown your kindness."
"Your sister!" she said in surprise; "who is your sister?"
"Jeanne Le Blanc, whom your Majesty has honoured by making one of your ladies-in-waiting."