By his courtesy the lady and her child were allowed to take up a position so close to the gate as would insure for them a most excellent view of the royal party; whilst the humbler crowd was kept at a more discreet distance by the good-humoured soldiers, who exercised their office amid plenty of jesting and laughing, which showed that an excellent understanding existed between them and their brethren of the soil.
The captain, as the hour for the entrance drew near, took up his position beside the lady, and conversed with her in low tones.

Paul listened with all his ears the moment he discovered that the soldier was talking about his beloved little prince.
"I do not credit every idle tale I hear, or certes life would be but a sorry thing for a soldier.

But there is a queer rumour flying about that some of the bold marauding fellows who follow the banner of York, Salisbury, and Warwick have been following and hanging on the trail of the royal party with a view to the capture--so it is said--of the Prince of Wales, who, once in the hands of the rival faction, would prove a hostage of no mean value.

I can scarce credit such a tale myself.

Sure am I that it cannot have originated in the mind of any of those noble earls, but must be the device of some meaner churl, who hopes to gain a reward for his treachery.
Belike there is no truth whatever in it.