“To thee, Res Wendot,” he said, “we give the charge of these two turbulent brothers of thine.  Had not the Prince Alphonso spoken for them, we had kept them under our own care here in our fortress of Rhuddlan.  But he has pleaded for them that they have their liberty, therefore into thy charge do we give them.  Take them back with thee to Dynevor, and strive to make them like unto thyself and thy shadow there, who is, they tell me, thy youngest brother, and as well disposed as thyself.

“Say, young man, wilt thou accept this charge, and be surety for these haughty youths?  If their own next-of-kin will not take this office, we must look elsewhere for a sterner guardian.”

For a moment Wendot hesitated, He knew well the untamable spirit of his brothers, and the small influence he was likely to have upon them, and for a moment his heart shrank from the task.  But again he bethought what his refusal must mean to them —­ captivity of a more or less irksome kind, harsh treatment perhaps, resulting in actual imprisonment, and a sure loss of favour with any guardian who had the least love for the English cause.  At Dynevor they would at least be free.

Surely, knowing all, they would not make his task too hard.  The tie of kindred was very close.  Wendot remembered words spoken by the dying bed of his parents, and his mind was quickly made up.

“I will be surety for them,” he said briefly.  “If they offend again, let my life, my lands, be the forfeit.”

The monarch gave him a searching glance.  Perhaps some of the effort with which he had spoken made itself audible in his tones.  He looked full at Wendot for a brief minute, and then turned to the black-browed twins.

“You hear your brother’s pledge,” he said in low, stern tones.  “If you have the feelings of men of honour, you will respect the motive which prompts him to give it, and add no difficulties to the task he has imposed upon himself.  Be loyal to him, and loyal to the cause he has embraced, and perchance a day may come when you may so have redeemed your past youthful follies as to claim and receive at our hands the lands we now withhold.  In the meantime they will be administered by Raoul Latimer, who will draw the revenues and maintain order there.  He has proved his loyalty in many ways ere this, and he is to be trusted, as one day I hope you twain may be.”

Llewelyn started as if he had been stung as these words crossed the king’s lips.  His black eyes flashed fire, and as he lifted his head and met the mocking glance of Raoul, it seemed for a moment as if actually in the presence of the king he would have flown at his antagonist’s throat; but Wendot’s hand was on his arm, and even Howel had the self-command to whisper a word of caution.  Alphonso sprang gaily between the angry youth and his father’s keen glance, and began talking eagerly of Dynevor, asking how the brothers would spend their time, now that they were all to live there once more; whilst Arthyn, coming forward, drew Llewelyn gently backward, casting at Raoul a look of such bitter scorn and hatred that he involuntarily shrank before it.