He sat him down at the head of the table, still silent and morose;
and though he fell with right good will upon the viands, he scarce
opened his lips the while, and we in our turn grew silent, for we
feared that he had heard the news of some disaster to the French
arms, which he was brooding over in silent gloom.
But when the retainers and men-at-arms had disappeared, and we had
gathered round the fire at the far end of the hall, as was our
wont, then he suddenly began to speak.
"Went ye into the town today?" he suddenly asked of us.
We answered him, Nay, that we had been occupied all day within the
Castle over the services there he had left us to perform.
"And have you heard nought of the commotion going on there?"
"We have heard nought. Pray what hath befallen, good sir? Is it
some disaster? Hath Orleans fallen into the hands of the English?"
For that was the great fear possessing all loyal minds at this
period.
"Nay, it is nought so bad as that," answered De Baudricourt, "and
yet it is bad enough, I trow.
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