The prince, who was a valiant and a wife knight, having folded up the letter in his hands, faid to the ambaffadors, who had remained in his prefence, * You are welcome to us from our coufin the king of Caftiile : you will flay here in our court, and will not return without an anfwer.' The knights of the prince were already prepared ; for they well knew what was proper to be done, and took with them the Spanifti knight and his two fquires to entertain them handfomely. The prince had remained in his apartment, thinking much on the contents of the letter from the king of Caftiile. He immediately fent for fir John Chandos and fir William Felton, the chiefs of his council : one was high fteward of Acquitaine, and the other conftable. When they were come, he faid fmiling ; c My lords, here is great news from Spain. The king, don Pedro our coufin, complains grievoufly of Henry his baftard brother, who has feized his king-dom, and driven him out of it, as perhaps you may have heard related by thofe who are come hither. He entreats of us help and affiftance, as his letter will more fully explain to you/ The prince then again read it over, word for word, to the knights, who lent a willing ear. When he had read it, he faid ; c You, fir John, and you, fir William, who are my principal counfellors, and in whom I have the greateft confidence and truft : tell me, I beg of you, what will be the moft advifabie for us to do in this bufinefs/ The two knights looked at each Q 2 ^ otheiç»' ay