If it be money, we have none--nothing but our arms and horses, which I think may cost you dear." Now the man with the crooked knife advanced a little, accompanied by another man, a tall, supple-looking knave, into whose ear he whispered.
"My master says," answered the tall man, "that you have with you that which is of more value than all the king's gold--a very fair lady, of whom someone has urgent need.

Give her up now, and go your way with your arms and horses, for you are gallant young men, whose blood we do not wish to shed." At this it was the turn of the brethren to laugh, which both of them did together.
"Give her up," answered Godwin, "and go our ways dishonoured?
Aye, with our breath, but not before.

Who then has such urgent need of the lady Rosamund ?" Again there was whispering between the pair.
"My master says," was the answer, "he thinks that all who see her will have need of her, since such loveliness is rare.

But if you wish a name, well, one comes into his mind; the name of the knight Lozelle." "The knight Lozelle!" murmured Rosamund, turning even paler than before, as well she might.

For this Lozelle was a powerful man and Essex-born.