"Your pardon for a moment, sire," said Bayard, "but by your leave I will carry the tidings to yon cottage behind the angle of the rock. The Signora Leonora d'Orco is waiting anxious there for tidings. She sent Lorenzo forth with the words, 'Win fame for your lady's sake.'" "And he has won it like a paladin," cried Charles, whom everything that smacked of ancient chivalry kindled quickly into a glow. "In truth did she say so? 'Twas like a noble lady. Shame is me, I had forgotten her in this unexpected resistance. Carry her this ring from me, De Terrail, tell her that Lorenzo has won the town and a pair of spurs this day!" "And mind, De Terrail," cried De Vitry, "that you kiss her hand when you put the ring on her finger. By my faith it is worth kissing, though I know one still fairer than that." "Lucky Lorenzo!" thought Bayard as he rode away; but never was man so little envious of another's good fortune, and though he could not but regret that he had not been permitted to take part in the assault, no jealousy of his friend mingled with the sigh that he gave to his own ill luck. "All goes well--all goes well, Signora," he cried as he approached the cottage door at which Leonora was standing. "Visconti has stormed the town and taken it!" "Lorenzo--my Lorenzo!" exclaimed Leonora, "so young--he storm the town!" "He did, dear lady," replied Bayard, "he scaled the walls, he was first upon the parapet. I saw him myself with his banderol in his hand before another soldier entered. The king saw him too, and has sent you this ring, for we all know that it was your love and your words that gave him strength and valour to do all he has done this day." Leonora could bear no more joy, and she bent down her head and wept, while Bayard gently put the ring upon her finger adding, "His majesty bade me tell you that Lorenzo has won the town and a pair of spurs this day." "Then he is well--then he is uninjured?" said Leonora. "He may have a scratch or two perhaps," replied Bayard, "but he can have no serious hurt if I may judge by the way he waved the banderol on the wall when he had gained it." "Thank God for that also," said the beautiful girl, "but here, if I mistake not, comes his majesty himself." As she spoke, followed by some half dozen of his guard, and accompanied by an elderly man in the scarlet robes of the highest clerical rank, the monarch rode slowly up and dismounted at the cottage door. "There is no more to be seen there," he said, approaching Leonora, "the banner of France floats over every tower and gate. So now, fair lady, I have time to pay my knightly devoirs to you; and moreover to introduce you to a near relation, who tells me he has not seen you since you were a child. This is the Cardinal Julian de Rovera."