What says my enemy de Chargny to my trusted
servant? Listen! `We could not come with the last moon, for we
have not gathered sufficient strength, nor have we been able to
collect the twenty thousand crowns which are your price. But with
the next turn of the moon in the darkest hour we will come and you
will be paid your money at the small postern gate with the
rowan-bush beside it.' Well, rogue, what say you now?"
"It is a forgery!" gasped the Italian.
"I pray you that you will let me see it, sire," said Chandos. "De
Chargny was my prisoner, and so many letters passed ere his ransom
was paid that his script is well-known to me. Yes, yes, I will
swear that this is indeed his. If my salvation were at stake I
could swear it."
"If it were indeed written by de Chargny it was to dishonor me,"
cried Sir Aymery.
"Nay, nay!" said the young Prince. "We all know de Chargny and
have fought against him. Many faults he has, a boaster and a
brawler, but a braver man and one of greater heart and higher of
enterprise does not ride beneath the lilies of France. Such a man
would never stoop to write a letter for the sake of putting
dishonor upon one of knightly rank. I, for one, will never
believe it."
A gruff murmur from the others showed that they were of one mind
with the Prince. The light of the torches from the walls beat
upon the line of stern faces at the high table.
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