mbness following the first shock was
passing away and all the eating agony of my loss began to fix its fangs
upon my heart.

"Whither can I fly?" I asked. "And why should I fly? I am an innocent
man and for the rest, the sooner I am dead the better."

"My Master must fly," answered Kari in swift, broken words, "because he
still live and is free. Also sorrow behind, joy before. Kari, who hate
women and read heart, Kari who drink this same bitter water long ago,
guess these things coming and think and think. No need that Master
trouble, Kari settle all and tell Master that if he do what he say,
everything come right."

"What am I to do?" I asked with a groan.

"Ship _Blanche_ on great river ready for sea. Master and Kari sail in
her before daybreak. Here leave everything: much land, much wealth--what
matter? Life more than these things which can get again. Come. No, one
minute, wait."

Then he went to the body of Deleroy and with wonderful swiftness took
off it the chain coat he wore beneath his tunic, which he put on his
own body. Also he took his sword and buckled it about him, while the
parchment writ he threw upon the fire. Then he extinguished the hanging
lamp and gave me one of the candles, taking the other himself.

At the door I held up my candle and by the light of it looked my last
upon the ashen face of Blanche, which face I knew must go with me
through all my life's days.

Kari locked the stout oaken door of the solar from the outside and took
me into my chamber, where was the armour of the knight whom I had killed
on Hastings Hill, which armour I had caused to be altered to fit myself.
Swiftly he buckled it on to me, throwing over all a long, dark robe such
as merchants wear. From the cupboard, too, he brought the big black bow
and a sheath of arrows, also a purseful of gold pieces from where they
were kept, and with them the leathern bag which he had worn when I found
him on the quay.

We went into the room where the feast had been held and there drank
some wine, though eat I could not. The cup from which I drank was, as it
chanced, the same in which I had pledged Blanche at the bride feast. Now
I pledged her spirit whereon I prayed God's mercy.

We left the house and in the stable saddled two horses, strong, quiet
beasts. Then by way of the back yard we rode out into the night, none
seeing us, for by now all were asleep, and in that weather the streets
were empty, even of such as walked them in d