His
defiant words therefore raised a storm of protests.
"Nay, then, Lord of Arkell," said the Dauphin John, "you, who
prate so loudly, would better prove your words by some sign of
your own valor. You may have dared fight your lady mother, who so
roundly punished you therefor, but a lion hath not the tender
ways of a woman. Face YOU the lions, lord count, and I will
warrant me they will not prove as forbearing as did she."
It was common talk at Count William's court that the brave Lady
of Arkell, mother of the Count Otto, had made her way, disguised,
into we castle of her son, had herself lowered the drawbridge,
admitted her armed retainers, overpowered and driven out her
rebellious son; and that then, relenting, she had appealed to
Count William to pardon the lad and to receive him at court as
hostage for his own fealty. So this fling of the Dauphin's cut
deep.
But before the young Otto could return an angry answer,
Jacqueline had interfered.
"Nay, nay, my lord," she said to her husband, the Dauphin; " 't
is not a knightly act thus to impeach the honor of a noble
guest."
But now the Lord of Arkell had found his tongue.
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