The army is by this time nigh Marseilles, and, sooth to say, I have no body of men-at-arms whom I could send as your escort for so long a distance.

I have but a small body here, and they are needed, and sorely too, to keep order within the walls." "I thought, sir," Cuthbert said, "that if you could lend me a party of say four men-at-arms to ride with me for the first day, I could then trust to myself, especially if you could procure me one honest man to act as guide and companion.

Doubtless they suppose that I should travel by the main road south; but by going the first day's journey either east or west, and then striking some southward road, I should get a fair start of them, throw all their plans out, and perchance reach Marseilles without interruption." The knight willingly agreed to furnish four men-at-arms, and a trustworthy guide who would at least take him as far south as Avignon.
"I will," he said, "tell the men-at-arms off to-night.

They shall be at the western gate at daybreak with the pass permitting them to ride through.

The guide shall be at the convent door half an hour earlier.
I will send up to-night your armour and horse.