Had not I a right to look for my reward?
Had not I a right to count upon the crown which my brothers' disobedience had forfeited?
Had not--" He stopped, unable from the vehemence of his passion to proceed, and Ralph Leroche answered calmly: "Obedience is its own reward, and worth more than a kingdom.

It is not obedience that calculates on profit.
But you know not, prince, what your father may yet have in store for you." "Speak not to me of my father," exclaimed John; "I hate him!" "Heaven forgive you that word!" replied the fearless knight.

"Be advised, I entreat; and repent--" "Dotard!" exclaimed the prince, as in blind rage he struck him in the mouth with his clenched fist.

"Keep thy advice for dogs, and not for princes!" How the scene would have ended, one cannot say.

At that moment a flourish of trumpets raised the echoes of the wood, and a gay procession passed down the forest road towards Tours.
Alas, for Prince John! He recognised in the two men who rode at its head, Philip of France, his father's enemy, and Richard, his own rebel elder brother.