archives of the city his sword had taken, a treaty drawn up many years before, agreeing that its inhabitants should join with the King of France for the invasion of England; and in his rage at the discovery, he had given over the town to plunder, and would even have had the inhabitants massacred in cold blood, had not Geoffrey of Harcourt restrained his fury by wise and merciful counsel.  But the order for universal pillage was not recalled, and the soldiers were freebooting to their hearts’ content all over the ill-fated city.

Raymond had seen sights and had heard sounds as he had pressed through those streets that day in search of his brother that had wrung his soul with indignation and wonder.  Where was the vaunted chivalry of its greatest champion, if such scenes could be enacted almost under his very eyes?  Were they not true, those lessons Father Paul had slowly and quietly instilled into his mind, that not chivalry, but a true and living Christianity, could alone withhold the natural man from deeds of cruelty and rapacity when the hot blood was stirred by the fierce exultation of battle and victory, and the lust of conquest had gained the mastery over his spirit?

The hot July sun was beating down upon the great square where were situated those buildings of which the King and the Prince and their immediate followers had taken temporary possession.  The brothers stood together beneath the shadow of a lofty wall.  Cries and shouts from the surrounding streets told tales of the work being done there; but that work had carried off almost all the soldiers, and the twins were virtually alone in the place, save for the tall and slight youth who stood a few paces off, and was plainly acting in the capacity of Raymond’s servant.

“I thought I should find thee here, Gaston,” said his brother, with fond affection in his tones.  “I knew that thou wouldst be with the King at such a time; and when I entered within the walls of this city, I said in my heart that my Gaston would have no hand in such scenes as those I was forced to witness as I passed along.”

Gaston’s brow darkened slightly, but he strove to laugh it off.

“Nay, thou must not fall foul of our great and mighty King for what thou hast seen today.  In truth I like it not myself; but what would you?  The men were furious when they heard of yon treaty; and the King’s fierce anger was greatly kindled.  The order went forth, and when pillage once begins no man may tell where it will end.  War is a glorious pastime, but there must ever be drawbacks.  Sure thine own philosophy has taught thee that much since thou hast turned to a man of letters.  But tell me of thyself, Raymond.  I am hungry for news.  For myself, thou mayest guess what has been my life, an thou knowest how these past two years have been spent —­ wars and rumours of wars, fruitless negotiations, and journeys and marches for little gain.  I am glad enough that we have shaken hands