The matter ended there in the defeat of the opposition, and the siege was begun. As a military operation it served mainly to train the green men-at-arms. Within five days the hail of stones cast by the engines and the threat of assault by land and sea reduced the inhabitants of Zara to despair. They surrendered on condition that their lives and homes be spared. In return the town was to shelter the Crusaders during the approaching winter, the immanence of which forbade the departure of the expedition on the next stage of the long voyage to Outremer. To Hugh and Matteo these were dull days, although Ralph covered himself with glory by his feats with the longbow in clearing the walls. Afterwards they settled down to the routine of winter quarters, broken occasionally by tumultuous riots between the Venetian seamen and the Frankish soldiers. For the rest, they rode and hunted in the neighbouring country and practised at arms. In the evenings they joined some body of knights around a fire, and shared in the mirth as the wine-cups went from hand to hand and Matteo strummed his gittern whilst he narrated romaunts and gests--or perhaps some other jongleur bore the burden of entertainment. It was a care-free life and pleasant, such as was found at any popular court save for the scarcity of high-born ladies. Helena Comnena had few rivals and the younger knights made much of her. Many a lance was broken over her favours in the improvised lists which were erected under the city walls. For Hugh she had ever a mocking smile or gibe, but little else--never a word of the confidences she had been wont to bring to him. Once only, as he rode in the fields, with a falcon he had borrowed from a Flemish knight, he heard the thud of galloping hoofs behind him, and Helena drew rein at his side. "You thought you would never see me again," she challenged him. "But I knew better." "How so, Lady?" he asked, surprised. "I know many things," she returned evasively. "For one thing, I know why you come to be here at Zara--and mayhap, too, I know why Constantinople lures you so." Hugh flushed. "There is but one object leads me to Constantinople, and that----" "I know that, too," she interrupted impatiently. "Others know, also. Give heed, Lord Hugh, for you have enemies--more than you wot of." "Why do you tell me this?" "Because you are a youth and innocent and because--because I wish to." "I thank you," said Hugh gravely. He was at a loss for words, as always with her. She, for a wonder, was silent likewise, and they rode so for the space of the sun's crossing the roadside tree-tops. "You have been very kind to me," he said at last to break the silence. "Doubt not I have an object in view," she replied cynically. "What?" "Think not I will tell you. I am a Greek, Lord Hugh, and Greeks have keener wits than you Northern people." She laughed abruptly.