'Yes, truly, and they press hard upon the castle, for they are an exceeding multitude and full of courage. See how they storm and rage against the gate, while some rear ladders, and others, line after line, sweep the walls with their arrows. There are many leaders who shout and beckon, and one, a tall man with a golden beard, who stands before the gate stamping his foot and hallooing them on, as a pricker doth the hounds. But those in the castle fight bravely. There is a woman, two women, who stand upon the walls, and give heart to the men-at-arms. They shower down arrows, darts, and great stones. Ah! they have struck down the tall leader, and the others give back. The mist thickens and I can see no more.'
'By Saint Paul!' said Sir Nigel, 'I do not think that there can be any such doings at Christchurch, and I am very easy of the fortalice so long as my sweet wife hangs the key of the outer bailey at the head of her bed. Yet I will not deny that you have pictured the castle as well as I could have done myself, and I am full of wonderment at all that I have heard and seen.'
'I would, Lady Tiphaine,' cried the Lady Rochefort, 'that you would use your power to tell me what hath befallen my golden bracelet which I wore when hawking upon the second Sunday of Advent, and have never set eyes upon since.'
'Nay, lady,' said Du Guesclin, 'it does not befit so great and wondrous a power to pry and search and play the varlet even to the beautiful chatelaine of Villefranche. Ask a worthy question, and, with the blessing of God, you shall have a worthy answer.'
'Then I would fain ask,' cried one of the French squires, 'as to which may hope to conquer in these wars betwixt the English and ourselves.'
'Both will conquer, and each will hold its own,' answered the Lady Tiphaine.
'Then we shall still hold Gascony and Guienne?' cried Sir Nigel.
The lady shook her head. 'French land, French blood,
