If Bertrade de Montfort loved this handsome French prince, then Norman ofTorn was his friend; for his love was a great love, somewhat above jealousy. It notonly held her happiness somewhat above his own, but the happiness and welfare of theman she loved, as well.

It was dawn when they reached Battel and as Norman of Torn bid the princeadieu, for the horde was to make camp just without the town, he exclaimed:

"May I ask My Lord to carry a message to Lady Bertrade ? It is inreference to a promise I made her two years since and which I now, for thefirst time, be able to fulfill."

"Certainly, my friend," said in reply Philip. The outlaw, dismounting, calledupon one of his squires for parchment, and, by the light of a torch, wrotea message to Bertrade de Montfort.

Half an hour later, a servant in the castle of Battel armed the missive tothe daughter of Leicester as she sat alone inside her apartment. 0pening it,she read:

To Lady Bertrade de Montfort, from her friend, Norman of Torn.

Two years have passed since you took the hand of the 0utlaw of Torn infriendship, and now he comes to sue for another favor.

It is that he may have speech with you, alone, in the castle of Battel thisnight.