Oh! pardon me! Still less did
I know that it was my own forsaken wife who saved my life, who tended
my sickness, nay, as I verily believed, toiled for me and my bread
through these long seven years, all in secret. Yea, and won my
entire soul and deep devotion or ever I knew that it was to you alone
that they were due. Grisell, Grisell," as she could not speak for
tears. "Oh forgive! Pardon me! Turn not away to be a Grey Sister.
I cannot do without you! Take me! Let me strive throughout my life
to merit a little better all that you have done and suffered for one
so unworthy!"
Grisell could not speak, but she turned towards him, and regardless
of all spectators, she was for the first time clasped in her
husband's arms, and the joyful tears of her friends high and low.
What more shall be told of that victory? Shall it be narrated how
this wedlock was blest in the chapel, while all the lovely bells of
Bruges rang out in rejoicing, how Mynheer Groot and Clemence rejoiced
though they lost their guest, how Caxton gave them a choice specimen
of his printing, how Ridley doffed his pilgrim's garb and came out as
a squire of dames, how the farewells were sorrowfully exchanged with
the Duchess, and how the Duke growled that from whichever party he
took his stout English he was sure to lose them?
Then there was homage to King Edward paid not very willingly, and a
progress northward.
Pages:
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236