“Even so,” said Eleanor. “And thus didst thou win the esteem of thy kinsman. ‘The stripling is loyal and trustworthy,’ he has said to me; ‘pity that such a heart should be pierced in an inglorious field. Would that I could find him, and strive to return to him something of what his father’s care hath wrought for me.’ Richard, trust me, it would be a real joy and lightening of his grief to have thee with him.” “Grief, Madame!” repeated Richard. “I little thought he grieved for my father, who, but for him, would be—” and a sob checked him, as the contrast rose before him of the great Earl and beautiful Countess presiding over their large family and princely household, and the scattered ruined state of all at present. “He shall answer that question himself,” said Eleanor. “See, here he comes to meet us by the beechwood alley.” And in fact, a form, well suited to its setting within the stately aisles of the beech trees, was pacing towards them. The chase had ended, and hearing that his wife had walked forth into the wood, the Prince had come by another path to meet her, and his rare and beautiful smile shone out as he saw who was her companion. “Art making friends with my young cousin?” he said affectionately. “I would fain do so,” replied Eleanor; “but alas, my Lord! he feels that there is a long dark reckoning behind, that stands in the way of our friendship.” Richard looked down, and did not speak. The Princess had put his thought into words. “Richard,” said the Prince, “I feel the same. It is for that very cause that I seek to have thee with me. Hear me. Thou art grown older, and hast seen man’s work and man’s sorrows, since I left thee on the hill-side at Hereford. Thou canst see, perchance, that a question hath two sides—though it is not given to all men to do so. Hearken then.—Thy father was the greatest man I have known—nay, but for the thought of my uncle of France, I should say the holiest. He was my teacher in all knightly doings, and in all kingly thoughts, such as I pray may be with me through life. It was from him I learnt that this royal, this noble power, is not given to exalt ourselves, but as a trust for the welfare of others. It was the spring of action that was with him through life.” “It was,” murmured Richard, calling to mind many a saying of his father’s.