I must to the kitchen," said Christina,
crossing her hands over her breast, to still her trembling heart, for
she was very sorry for his grief, but moving resolutely.
"Must? And wherefore? Thou hast nought to do there; speak truth!
Why not stay with me?" and his great light eyes opened wide.
"A burgher maid may not sit down with a noble baron."
"The devil! Has my mother been plaguing thee, child?"
"No, my lord," said Christina, "she reeks not of me; but"--steadying
her voice with great difficulty--"it behoves me the more to be
discreet."
"And you would not have me come here!" he said, with a wistful tone
of reproach.
"I have no power to forbid you; but if you do, I must betake me to
Ursel in the kitchen," said Christina, very low, trembling and half
choked.
"Among the rude wenches there!" he cried, starting up. "Nay, nay,
that shall not be! Rather will I go."
"But this is very cruel of thee, maiden," he added, lingering, "when
I give thee my knightly word that all should be as when she whom we
both loved was here," and his voice shook.
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