Part 43 (1/2)
She struggled out of his arms ”I am encumbered ild beasts at each step,” cried she, all rosy and breathless ”One would kill e, the other for love Oh, I do not knohich to fear the most
There, you may kiss my hand, Will, and I will take you for my man, since it seems that I am to be s to my Saxon in York, and, beshrew me, I hope he will not take it too hardly, for your sake”
”And yours also” Scarlett was holding her again
”I like you well enough to be sorry if he should hurt you,” said this teasing little Princess She looked up at him, and then dropped her lashes ”Do you _truly_ love me, Will? For truly do I love you”
And so the Princess of Aragon elected tothe politic choice of husband made for her by the wise old ether towards Nottingham, quietly, and in deep content with the world
They encountered a stately little cavalcade near by the gates of the city, and knew themselves observed ere they could hope to avoid the a bold face on it, the lovers stood on one side, to permit this company to pass them
An old man, richly dressed, came first, followed at a respectful distance by six horsemen
The Princess watched thelance roved from one to the other of the would-be steadfast faces before her She turned her head to gaze again at the absorbed old man who led the company
Then she checked herself in a little exclamation; and hastily averted her face It was too late, the old fellow had been roused frorey horse, and asked over his shoulder: ”Who are these, Jacquelaine?”
The esquire so addressed at once rode forward, but before he could speak his master had discovered an answer for himself He had fixed fierce eyes upon Master Scarlett, anddeath now for the sake of soallows, for sure”
”I shall not ask you to pray at my bedside,” retorted Scarlett, bitterly
The Princess suddenly whipped round ”Who are you, Sir Churl, to talk of gallows and the like to us? Hast cohaht to exclaiasped he, in sheer around, and with old-fashi+oned courtesy knelt before her She put out her hand for him to kiss
”Rise, Master Montfichet, I pray you, 'tis not your place to kneel to me,” she said, with her little Court smile
The other horsemen had dismounted and now stood apart from the trio The Princess was the first to speak, so soon as the old Squire had risen
”Master Montfichet and Will Scarlett, pray let me make you known to each other,” she said, prettily ”This is Squire George of Gah I do not always listen to hihed, easily ”_This_ is Master Will Scarlett, wholand He hath but now saved me from a dreadful death”
She paused; then added quickly and a little nervously: ”My life is his, in short, Master Montfichet, and so--and so I have given it to hireenwood Therefore, you are not to speak slightingly of Master Scarlett in ratification struggled together ain ”But this is beyond belief”
”Therefore believe it,” spoke the Princess, lightly; ”for _that_ will show you to be no co before his father, ”I pray you forgive both ratitude I aain with you, and I do swear to be more dutiful in the years to come Will you take my hand?”
”Ay, freely as it is offered God save us; but who am I to be stubborn of will, in the face of these miracles?”
”Do the miracles work happiness for you, Master Montfichet?” enquired thewill never consent to this business, be sure of it _You_my son--a commoner!”
”Your son?” It was now the Princess's turn to be amazed But soon the un by deceivingto tell you, dear heart, ethat my father lived near by here? Did I not tell you that he was a Norman----”
”There, there, do not fret your dear self I will marry you, whether you be Will Scarlett or Geoffrey of Montfichet It is yourself I need, after all”