Their wealth had bought them peace, and they had kept on good terms alike with France and Burgundy, and even with the unruly captains of England.

Wars might sweep round their marches, but their fields were unravaged.

Shrewd, peaceable folk they were, at least the males of the house.

The women had been different, for the daughters of Beaumanoir had been notable for beauty and wit and had married proudly, till the family was kin to half the nobleness of Artois and Picardy and Champagne.

There was that terrible great-aunt at Coucy, and the aunts at Beaulieu and Avranches, and the endless cousinhood stretching as far south as the Nivernais....