"And what did I give you, Isoult?" he whispered.

"'Twas your honour to keep, my lord," said the girl.

He had been looking at her long before she made an end, but not before

she had gathered strength from her theme. When he did look he saw that

her eyes were large and dark; honesty and clear courage burned

steadily there; the candles reflected in them showed no flickering.

She had her hands crossed over her bosom as if to hold a treasure

close: her treasures were her ring and her faithful heart. He knew now

that he could not gain her for this turn, wife or no wife; in this

great mood of hers she would have killed herself sooner than let him

touch her; and when she had ended her say he knew that she had spoken

the truth, a truth which put him to shame. Like a spoilt boy rather

than a rogue he began to plead, nevertheless. He went on his knees,

unbound her two hands and held them, trying to win his way by

protestations of love and desire. The words, emptied of all fact by

this time (for the boy was honest enough), rang hollow. She looked

down at him sadly, but very gently, denying him against all her love.

The fool went on, set on his own way. At last she said-"Lord, such love as thou hast for me Galors hath also. And shall I let

my looks undo me with thee, and thee with me? I will follow thee as a

servant, and never leave thee without it be thy will. I beseech of

thee deface not thine own image which I carry here. Now let me go."

She touched herself upon the breast. This was how she drove the evil

spirit out of him. He got up from his knees and thanked her gruffly.

His words came curt and sharp, with the old order in the tone of them;

but she knew that he was really ordering himself. She held out her

hand, rather shyly--for, the battle won, the conquered had resumed

command--he took and kissed it. She turned to go. The evil spirit

within him lifted up a bruised head.

"By God!" cried he, "you shall lie in the bed and I at the door."

And so it was, and so remained, while High March held the pair of

them. By which it will appear that the evil spirit was disposed in

pious uses.




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