"Nay, do not rise, for thou art weak yet;" but he would not be seated,
so they stood there, side by side in the fair morning light. And
presently she puts out her hand (no one ere reached out their hand as
did my lady), and she just lays it on his sleeve, and saith she, "I am
come to thank you--to thank you with all my heart and soul--" and there
a sob chokes her, and she can say no more.

Again the blood swept up across his brow; and he said, "For God's love,
say no more."

But she answered, saying, "Nay, I have so much to say." And she came
nearer to him for a little space; and her head drooped downward, like a
flower full of rain. And she did knit and unknit her white fingers as
they hung before her. And she saith, "There is no guerdon worthy such a
knight, but if an thou--"

Then all on a sudden did she reach out both arms towards him, and her
fair hands, palms upward, and the scarlet leaped to her very brow; but
she lifted her little head proudly, albeit her eyes were dropped
downward, and she said unto him, "Take me, for I am thine."

And he trembled from head to foot, and parting his lips as though to
speak, reached out his arms and clasped her.

And when I realized what I had done, I did drop my cross-bow and took to
my heels, like one followed by goblins.

Now, even as I hope to be saved, I but just come to recognize that this
was my second eavesdropping. So be it. I have vowed, and must keep my
vow.

It was all made clear to me that night, when Marian did relate to me how
that the Spanish woman had slain herself by swallowing flame. At which
(though mightily pleased, God forgive me, on account of my lady and the
earl) I was more than ever thankful that Lord Robert had escaped alive
and unwed out o' th' clutches o' th' Spanish wench. And here it
occurreth to me that I have not yet told that Marian did know from the
first of my lady's going up to town dressed as her brother. This I
record more on account of its being a marvellous instance of a woman's
keeping her tongue than to shame Marian, who hath often read how that
wives should submit themselves unto their husbands as unto the Lord.
Howbeit, all ended so happily that I had not the heart to scold her.

With the first frosts of October my lady and the earl were wed.
Methought the queen herself could not have had a finer wedding, and
certes no woman could have had a nobler spouse. He was yet pale from his
wounds, but most soldierly of bearing and pro