It must not be supposed that the attempted abduction of the Princess Berengaria was unimportant in its results to Cuthbert.

After returning from the palace the king, who had heard from her the details of what had taken place, and the names of her rescuers, sent for the Earl of Evesham.  The latter had of course learned from Cuthbert all that had happened, and had expressed his high approval of his conduct, and his gratification at the result.

“I learn, Sir Earl,” said King Richard, “that it is to you that I am indebted for the rescue of the princess.  She tells me, that suspecting some plot, you placed a guard around the bishop’s palace, with a strong body on the shore ready to rescue her from the hands of any who might attempt to take her to sea.”

“It is as you say, sire,” replied the earl; “but the whole merit of the affair rests upon my page, the lad whom you may remember as having fought with and conquered the French page, and of whose conduct you then approved highly.  You may also remember that he escaped by some display of bravery and shrewdness the further attempts to assassinate him, and your Majesty was good enough to make a complaint to King Phillip of the conduct of one of his nobles on that head.  It seems that some two months since, the lad in coming through the French camp at night missed his way, and accidentally overheard a few words spoken in a voice which he recognized as that of his enemy.  The name of your Majesty being mentioned, he deemed it his duty to listen, and thus discovered that a plot was on foot for carrying off the princess.  After consultation with me, we agreed upon the course to be adopted, namely, to place sentries round the bishop’s palace and the buildings adjoining, who should follow and bring word should she be taken to another place in town, while a band was placed on the shore in readiness to interfere at once to prevent her being carried away by sea.  He undertook the management of all details, having with him a trusty squire who commands my Saxon bowmen.”

“For your own part I thank you, my lord,” the king said, “and, believe me, you shall not find Richard ungrateful.  As to your page, he appears brave and wise beyond his years.  Were it not that I think that it would not be good for him, and might attract some envy upon the part of others, I would at once make him a knight.  He already has my promise that I will do so on the first occasion when he can show his prowess upon the infidels.  Bring him to me to-morrow, when the princess will be here with the Queen of Navarre at a banquet.  I would fain thank him before her; and, although I have agreed—­at the princess’s earnest solicitation—­to take no further notice of the matter, and to allow it to pass as if it had not been, yet I cannot forgive the treachery which has been used, and, without letting all know exactly what has occurred, would fain by my reception of your page, let men see that something of great import has happened, of the nature of which I doubt not that rumour will give some notion.”