At once she was reminded of the scene in her cell, when he had taken up
that attitude while still garbed as a nun, and she had said: "I know
you for a man," and, in her heart had added: "And a stronger man,
surely, than Mary Seraphine's Cousin Wilfred!"
"We ride on to-day," said the Knight, "if you feel able for a few hours
in the saddle, to the next stage in our journey. It is a hostel in the
forest; a poor kind of place, I fear; but there is one good room where
you can be made comfortable, with Mistress Deborah. I shall sleep on
the hay, without, amongst my men. Some must keep guard all night. We
ride through wild parts to reach our destination."
He paused. He could not hold on to the matter of fact tones in which
he had started. When he spoke again, his voice was low and very tender.
"Mora, I am taking thee first to thine own home; to the place where,
long years ago, we loved and parted. There, all is as it was. Thy
people who loved thee and had fled, have been found and brought back.
Seven days of journeying should bring us there. I have sent men on
before, to arrange for each night's lodging, and make sure that all is
right. Arrived at thine own castle, Mora, we shall be within three
hours' ride of mine--that home to which I hope to bring thee. Until we
enter there, my wife, although this morning most truly wed, we will
count ourselves but betrothed. Once in thy home, it shall be left to
thine own choice to come to mine when and how thou wilt.
Pages:
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330