I will do my part if Madame Alois will do hers.' Richard folded his arms; the King sat down again.

A queer exchange of glances had passed between his father and brother at the mention of that lady's name.

Richard, who saw it, got the feeling of some secret between them, the feeling of being in a trap; but he said nothing.

The King began his old harping.
'Attend to me now, Richard,' he said, with much work of the eyebrows; 'if that ill-gotten beast Bertran had been of your meinie our last words had been said.

Beast! He is a toothed snake, that crawled into my boy's bed and bit passion into him.