reproach, her will was loyal. The bond was cutting into her very flesh,
but she never even thought of breaking it; and all she waited for was the
power of restraining her grateful tears.

In this she was assisted by observing that Bedford's attention had been
attracted towards his brother, who was looking wan and weary, scarcely
tasting what was set before him; and, after fitfully trying to converse
with Marguerite of Burgundy, at last had taken advantage of an endless
harangue from all the Virtues, and had dropped asleep. The Lady Anne was
seen making a sign to her sister not to disturb him; and Bedford
murmured, with a sigh, 'There is, for once, a discreet woman.' Then, as
if recalled to a sense of what was passing, he turned on Esclairmonde his
full earnest look, saying, 'You will teach the Queen how _he_ should be
cared for. You will help me.'

'Sir,' said Esclairmonde, feeling it most difficult not to falter, 'this
is a great grace, but it cannot be.'

'Cannot!' said Bedford, slowly. 'You have taken thought?'

'Sir, it is not the part of a betrothed spouse to take thought. My vows
were renewed of my own free will and it were sacrilege to try to recall
them for the first real temptation.'

She spoke steadily, but the effort ached through her whole frame,
especially when the last word illumined John Plantagenet's face with
strange sweet light, quenched as his lip trembled, his nostril quivered,
his eye even moistened, as he said, 'It is enough, lady; I will no more
vex one who is vexed enough already; and you will so far trust me as to
regard me as your protector, if you should be in need?'

'Indeed I will,' said Esclairmonde, hardly restraining her tears.

'That is well,' said Bedford. And he neither looked at her nor spoke to
her again, till, as he led her away in the procession from the hall, he
held her hand fast, and murmured: 'There then it rests, sweet lady
unless, having taken counsel with your own heart, you should change your
decree, and consult some holy priest. If so, make but a sign of the
hand, and I am yours; for verily you are the only maiden I could ever
have loved.'

She was still in utter confusion, in the chamber where the ladies were
cloaking for their return, when her hands were grasped on either side by
the two Burgundian princesses.

'Sweet runaway, we have caught you at last! Here, into Anne's chamber.
See you we must! How is it with you? Like you the limping Scot better