THE INSOLENT PRINCE. 97

enuntrymen. The English were constantly reminded
ot their inferiority as a nation, and exposed to such
insults as it was difficult to brook. Bitter taunts and
insinuations of cowardice were unhesitatingly used to
mortity the island warriors; and men who had dis-
obeyed their king’s mandate, and forfeited lands and
living to combat the Saracens, were, day by day, driven
nearer the conclusion that they would ere long be
under the necessity of drawing their swords against
their fellow-soldiers of the Cross.

Of all the French Crusaders, however, none were so
foolishly insolent as Robert, Count of Artois, brother
of King Louis. From a boy the French prince had
been remarkable for the ferocity of his temper, and
had early signalised himself by throwing a cheese at
the face of his mother’s chivalrous admirer, Thibault
of Champagne. For some reason or other, the Count
of Artois conceived a strong aversion to the Earl of
Salisbury, and treated Longsword with the utmost
insolence. And, though the Earl only retaliated by
glances of cold contempt, it was known that his pa-
tience was wearing away, and it was feared that there
would yet be bloodshed.

‘By my father’s sword !’ said he, speaking partly to
himself, partly to Walter Espec, one day after return-
ing to his tent, ‘I fear me that my spirit will not
much longer brook the reproaches of that vain prince.
IXven this day, as he spoke, my hand stole to the hilt
of my sword; and I panted to — him to mortal
combat on the spot.’

‘My lord,’ replied Walter, gravely and cautiously,
©! perceived that, albeit striving to be calm, you felt