"It is a lie; he will not come," said a voice from the door.
It was the old priest, who had followed the others as far as the
threshold.
"He will not come," he repeated as he advanced into the room.
"Daughter, my daughter, hearken to the words of one who is indeed
old enough to be your earthly father. This lie has served before.
He has ruined others before you with it. The man has no brother
at Saint Albans. I know his brothers well, and there is no priest
among them. Before Monday, when it is all too late, you will have
found the truth as others have done before you. Trust him not,
but come with us!"
Paul de la Fosse looked up at her with a quick smile and patted
the hand upon his shoulder.
"Do you speak to them, Edith," said he.
Her eyes flashed with scorn as she surveyed them each in turn, the
woman, the youth and the priest.
"I have but one word to say to them," said she. "It is that they
go hence and trouble us no more. Am I not a free woman? Have I
not said that this is the only man I ever loved? I have loved him
long. He did not know it, and in despair he turned to another.
Now he knows all and never again can doubt come between us.
Therefore I will stay here at Shalford and come to Cosford no more
save upon the arm of my husband. Am I so weak that I would
believe the tales you tell against him? Is it hard for a jealous
woman and a wandering priest to agree upon a lie? No, no, Mary,
you can go hence and take your cavalier and your priest with you,
for here I stay, true to my love and safe in my trust upon his
honor!"
"Well spoken, on my faith, my golden bird!" said the little master
of Shalford.
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