out of thy den."

Drogo winced at the allusion to his expulsion from Kenilworth, and
charged fifty marks the more.

"We fix thy ransom at a hundred marks {29}."

"Why, it is a king's ransom!"

"And thou art fit to be a king."

"And what if I cannot pay it?"

"We shall feel it our unpleasant duty to hand thee over to the
royal justice, as one notoriously in league with the rebel barons."

"May I send a messenger to my castle?"

"At once. I will place my household at thy disposal."

"And the friar and the mayor; does my ransom include their
freedom?"

"By no means: every tub must stand on its own bottom."

"But they were my companions, travelling as it were, not being
fighting men, under my protection."

"Perhaps it would expedite matters if thou wouldst inform me on
what errand ye were all bent?"