"And might gain much by staying," said Gloucester, sententiously.
"However, I am glad, since you can give me word of the Duchess. How
fares she?"

"As when you left, my lord. She sent her loving wishes to you."

Then drawing out De Bury's letter, he presented it without remark.

Richard read it carefully, and inquired regarding the journey to
Craigston Castle. De Lacy narrated briefly the incident of the attack
upon Sir John, but detailed at length the conduct of the Abbot of
Kirkstall. The Duke, however, seemed more interested in the assault
than in the priest, and asked particularly concerning the assailants.
But on learning that neither De Bury nor the veteran Royk had
recognized any of them, he dropped the matter with the remark:

"You have profited by your experience on the Continent. Not many would
have thought to investigate these seeming outlaws."

De Lacy thanked the Duke for his words, and after being informed that
he was to lodge at the inn with the rest of the suite, and that the
march would be resumed an hour after daybreak, he withdrew, and having
dismissed the squire with the horses went in search of Dacre or De
Wilton.

It was a brave array that passed out of Leicester that Tuesday morning
behind the royal Duke, and in soldiery fitness, man for man, its like
was not in England. But it was a peculiar march, withal. No flourish
of trumpets heralded the advance; no gaudy costumes clothed the
attending Knights. The bugles were hushed, save where necessary to