The Forest Lovers

They cut down and slew Spiridion as he was kneeling in his shirt

before the crucifix; and then Galors came into the room to see that

the work was done.

Prosper was lying on his face as he had fallen, with a great hole in

his head. Galors suffered a contempt which he could not afford to such

an enemy. He kicked the body. "Rot there, carrion," he said; then,

with an after-thought, "No--rot in the water. Throw the pair of them

by the window," he ordered his men, "and wait outside the gates for,

me. I have things to do here." This was done.

When he was alone he stripped off all his armour, and put on instead

Prosper's equipment. The defaced shield vexed him. Nothing was left of

the blazon; nothing was left at all but the legend, "I bide my

time."

"That, is what I will do no longer," said Galors with a heavy oath. "I

have bided long enough; now, friend Prosper, do you bide yours. As for

the cognizance, I know it very well by this; it shall be on again by

the morning. Then we will see if I can do as Prosper what I have

failed to do as Galors."

He headed his troop for Hauterive, reached it before daylight, and

ended (as he thought) a signal chapter in his progress. As for

Prosper, he bided his time with a broken head in Peering Pool.