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Esclairmonde would have been happy if no one had noticed her benevolence to the young Scot save Alice Montagu; but she had to endure countless railleries from every lady, from Countess Jaqueline downwards, on the unmistakable evidence that her heart had spoken; and her grave dignity had less effect in silencing them than usual, so diverting was the alleged triumph over her propriety, well as they knew that she would have done the same for the youngest horse-boy, or the oldest man-at-arms.
'He bore himself manfully in battle, said the fair Fleming in reproof. But Alice answered with the scorn that sits so quaintly on the gentle daughter of a bold race: 'Ay, where he would have been more afraid to run than to stand. 'You are hard on the Scot, said Esclairmonde.
'Maybe it is because the Nevils of Raby are Borderers, she added, smiling; and, as Alice likewise smiled and blushed, 'Now, if it were not for this madness, I could like the youth. I would fain have had him for a brother that I could take care of. 'But what will you do, Esclairmonde? 'Trust, said she, sighing.
'My brother and my guardian! responded Esclairmonde, raising the white brow to his lips. At that moment back went the door, and in flew Alice Montagu, crying aloud, 'Clairette! the Queen oh, Madame, your pardon! but I am sent for Esclairmonde. The Queen is in worse fits than ever. Sir Lewis can't get the ring from her. They think she will rave like her father presently! Come!
Almost had he uttered the vow, when, tugging hard at his heart, came the vision of Esclairmonde's loveliness, and he felt it beyond his strength to resign her voluntarily; besides, how Madame of Hainault and Monseigneur de Therouenne would deride his uncertainties; and how intolerable it would be to leave Esclairmonde to fall into the hands of Boemond of Burgundy.
Lady Alice uttered an exclamation of surprise. 'Yes, said Esclairmonde, 'I was dedicated his my infancy, and promised myself in the nunnery at Dijon when I was seven years old. Then, as if to turn the conversation from herself, she asked of Malcolm if he too had made any vow. 'Only to myself, said Malcolm.
He loved to dwell on her very name, Esclairmonde 'light of the world. The taste of the day hung many a pun and conceit upon names, and to Malcolm this which had, in fact, been culled out of romance seemed meetly to express the pure radiance of consolation and encouragement that seemed to him to shine from her, and brighten the life that had hitherto been dull and gloomy nay, even to give him light and joy in the midst of his grief.
'So, my fair cousin, this is the end of your waywardness. The tokens were certainly somewhat strong; but the young gentleman's birth being equal to yours, after the spectacle you have presented, your uncle of St. Pol, and I myself, must do our utmost to obtain the consent of the Duke of Burgundy. 'Monseigneur is mistaken, said Esclairmonde. 'Child, we will have no more folly.
'Sir, said Esclairmonde, feeling it most difficult not to falter, 'this is a great grace, but it cannot be. 'Cannot! said Bedford, slowly. 'You have taken thought? 'Sir, it is not the part of a betrothed spouse to take thought. My vows were renewed of my own free will and it were sacrilege to try to recall them for the first real temptation.
Malcolm so shuddered when he did but touch on it, and was so rent with agitation, that Esclairmonde perceived that when his beloved King had perished, he had indeed received the death-wound to his own fragile nature.
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