Says the Count, Madame Alois might be my stepmother, never my wife.' 'Deus!' said the King.

'Bertran, is this the truth ?' That was a question for which Bertran was fully prepared.

He always had it put, and always gave the same answer.

'As I am a Christian, sire,' he said, 'the Gospel is no truer.' To which King Sancho replied, 'I do most devoutly believe in the Holy Gospel, whatever any Arabian may say to the contrary.

But is it for this, pray, that you propose to light candles of war in Navarre ?' 'Ah,' said Bertran, with his hand scratching in his vest, 'I light no candles, my lord; but I counsel you to light them.' 'Phew!' said King Sancho, and stuck his arms out; 'on whose account, Bertran, on whose account ?' Bertran replied savagely, 'On account of Dame Alois slandered, of her brother France deceived in his hope, of the English King strangely accused, of his son John (a hopeful prince, Benjamin of a second Israel), and of Queen Eleanor of England, of whose kindred your Grace is.' 'Deus! Oy, Deus!' cried King Sancho, pale with amazement, 'and are all these thrones in arms, lighting candles against Count Richard ?' 'It is so indeed, sire,' says Bertran; and King Sancho frowned, with this comment--'There seems little chivalry here, take it as you will.' Next he inquired, where was the Count of Poictou?
Bertran was ready.