You will reach Mora, at longest, five
days from this. As soon as she decides what she will do, send word to
me by a fast messenger. Should she elect to return to the Nunnery,
state when and where, upon the road, I am to meet her. Her habit as
Prioress, and her cross of office, I have here. The former you
returned to me, from the hostel; the latter I found in her cell. You
must take them with you. If she returns, she must return fully robed.
If, on the other hand, she should decide to remain with you; if--as may
God grant--she is content, and requires no help from me, send me this
news by messenger. I can then betake myself to that fair land to which
I first went for her sake; left for her sake, and to which I shall most
gladly return, if her need of me is over. The time I state allows a
four days' margin for vacillation."
"My lord," said the Knight, humbly, "forgive the wrong I did you.
Forgive that I took in earnest that which you meant in jest; or rather,
I do truly think, that which you hoped would turn me from my purpose.
Alas, I would indeed that I might rightly be turned therefrom."
"Hugh," said the Bishop, eagerly, "you deemed her justified in coming
to you, apart from any vision."
"True," replied the Knight, "but I cannot feel justified in taking her,
and all she would give me, knowing she gives it, with a free heart,
because of her faith in the vision. Moments of purest joy would be
clouded by my secret shame.
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