"
"And why is the trout shyer for that?" asked Sir Ralph.
"Do you not see?" said brother Michael. "The virtues of both
lovers diffuse themselves through the lake. The infusion
of masculine valour makes the fish active and sanguineous:
the infusion of maiden modesty makes him coy and hard to win:
and you shall find through life, the fish which is most
easily hooked is not the best worth dishing. But yonder are
the towers of Arlingford."
The little friar stopped. He seemed suddenly struck with an awful thought,
which caused a momentary pallescence in his rosy complexion; and after
a brief hesitation, he turned his galloway, and told his companions
he should give them good day.
"Why, what is in the wind now, brother Peter?" said Friar Michael.
"The lady Matilda," said the little friar, "can draw the long-bow. She
must bear no goodwill to Sir Ralph; and if she should espy him from
her tower, she may testify her recognition with a cloth-yard shaft.
She is not so infallible a markswoman, but that she might shoot at a crow
and kill a pigeon. She might peradventure miss the knight, and hit me,
who never did her any harm."
"Tut, tut, man," said brother Michael, "there is no such fear."
"Mass," said the little friar, "but there is such a fear,
and very strong too. You who have it not may keep your way,
and I who have it shall take mine.
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