about
midday
Bertrade de Montfort was but filled with wonder that she should owe her life and honor to this fierce , wild cut-throat who had sworn especial hatred against her family , because of its relationship to the house of Plantagenet . She could not fathom it , and yet , he seemed fair spoken for so rough a man ; she wondered what manner of countenance might lie beneath that barred visor . Once the outlaw took his cloak from its fastenings at his saddle 's cantel and threw it about the shoulders of the girl , for the night air was chilly , and again he dismounted and led her palfrey around a bad place in the road , lest the beast might slip and fall . She thanked him in her courtly manner for these services , but beyond that , no word passed between them , and they came , in silence , about midday within sight of the castle of Simon de Montfort . The watch upon the tower was thrown into confusion by the approach of so large a party of armed men , so that , by the time they were in hailing distance , the walls of the great structure were crowded with fighting men . Shandy rode ahead with a flag of truce , and when he was beneath the castle walls Simon de Montfort called forth : `` Who be ye and what your mission ? Peace or war ? ''