He was made captive by a
White Rose party, so far as I could hear, and St. Peter knows where
he may be. But look you, the lady, for all her foul looks, had cast
her spell over him, and held him as bound and entranced as by a true
love, so that he was ready to defend her beauty--her beauty! look
you!--against all the world in the lists. He was neither to have nor
to hold if any man durst utter a word against her! And it was the
same with her tirewoman and her own old squire."
"Then, sir, you deem that in slaying the hare, the arquebusier rid
you of your witch wife?" There was a little bitterness, even scorn,
in the tone.
"I say not so, mistress. I know men-at-arms too well to credit all
they say, and I was on my way to inquire into the matter and learn
the truth when these same Dacres fell on me; and that I lie here is
due to you and good Master Lambert. Many a woman whose face is ill
favoured has learnt to keep up her power by unhallowed arts, and if
it be so with her whom in my boyish prank I have marred, Heaven
forgive her and me. If I can ever return I shall strive to trace her
life or death, without which mayhap I could scarce win my true
bride."
Grisell could bear no more of this crushing of her hopes. She crept
away murmuring something about the vesper bell at the convent chapel
near, for it was there that she could best kneel, while thoughts and
strength and resolution came to her.
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