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 Prince John struck his forehead with impatience, and then began to stride up and down the apartment.

"The villains," he said, "the base, treacherous villains, to desert me at this pinch!"

"Nay, say rather the feather-pated giddy fools," said Waldemar, "who must be toying with follies when such business was in hand."

"What is to be done?" said the Prince, stopping short before Waldemar.

"I know nothing which can be done," answered his counsellor, "save that which I have already taken order for.—I came not to bewail this evil chance with your Grace, until I had done my best to remedy it."

"Thou art ever my better angel, Waldemar," said the Prince; "and when I have such a chancellor to advise withal, the reign of John will be renowned in our annals.—What hast thou commanded?"

"I have caused Louis Winkelbrand, De Bracy's lieutenant, to cause his trumpets sound to horse, and to display his banner, and to set presently forth toward the castle of Front-de-Bœuf,