They are, at best,
selfish on the part of the man. They keep the woman from entering into
her kingdom. The crown of womanhood is to bear children to the man she
loves--to take her place in his home, as wife and mother. The man who
cannot offer this, yet stands in the way of the man who can, is a poor
and an unworthy lover."
The Bishop paused, unclasped his hands, withdrew his steadfast regard
from the fire, and sat back in his chair. The stone in his ring
gleamed blue, the colour of forget-me-nots beside a meadow brook.
Presently he looked at the silent Knight. There was a kindly smile, in
his eyes, rather than upon his lips.
"It may be, my dear Hugh, that this heart discipline of mine--of which,
by the way, I have never before spoken--has made me quick to understand
the sufferings of other men. Also it may explain the great desire I
always experience to see a truly noble woman come to the full
completion of her womanhood.
"I returned to England not long after your betrothed had entered the
cloistered life in the Whytstone Nunnery. I was appointed to this See
of Worcester, which appointment gave me the spiritual control of the
White Ladies. My friendship with the Prioress has been a source of
interest, pleasure, and true helpfulness to myself and I trust to her
also. I think I told you while we supped that, many years ago, I had
known her at the Court when I was confessor to the Queen, and preceptor
to her ladies.
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