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Updated: June 20, 2025
Now did Winfrida the Fair start and therewith clench pink palms and look quick-eyed upon my Beltane, noting in turn his golden hair, his belt of silver and the great sword he bore: and, biting her red lip, she stooped her beauteous head, frowning as one in sudden perplexity.
"Not so, lady, 'tis scarce six hours' journey to the north, nay, I do know of lonely bridle-paths that shall bring us sooner." "To Blaen?" mused the Duchess. "Winfrida is there and yet and yet aye, let us to Blaen, there will I nurse thee to thy strength again, my Beltane, and there shalt thou wed with me an it be so thy pleasure in sooth, my lord."
Alas! that ever I was born, for that I am that Winfrida who, for ambition's sake and wicked pride, did a most vile thing O my lord Beltane, as thou art strong, be pitiful as thou art deeply wronged, be greatly merciful." "How how mean you?" said Beltane, slow-speaking and breathing deep. "Lord 'twas I O, how may I tell it?
So stood Beltane awhile, hands clenched, head bent, staring ever northwards, his blood aglow with eager love, his heart a-throb with passionate remorse. "Come, my lord," breathed Winfrida, "O come in Mortain is rest and solace and love!" "Rest?" said Beltane softly, "solace and love O sweet thought! Yet I may not go hence, for here is sorrow and shame and suffering sword and fire and battle.
Take me to my women. I must sleep yet will I come to thee soon soon, beloved." So Beltane brought her to the door, but as he came thither the broidered curtain was lifted and he beheld Winfrida, who ran to her mistress, kissing her oft and sighing over her. "Winfrida," sighed the Duchess, slumberous of voice, "I grow a-weary I must sleep awhile " "Aye, thou'rt overwrought, dear lady.
"Am I again thy loved companion and thy friend?" "So shall it be, Winfrida." "Then, O dear Helen, as sign all is forgot and we lovers again, let us pledge each other, here and now to thy future happiness and glory." "Aye, be it so," sighed the Duchess, "bring wine, for I am athirst." Then turned she to the lattice again and Winfrida went lightly on her errand.
And so, walking proud and tall, she passed out before them, whereat Duke Ivo's black brow grew the blacker, and he stared before him with narrowed eyes, beholding which, the faces of my lady's counsellors waxed anxious and long; only Winfrida, chiefest of the ladies, watched the Duke 'neath drooping lids and with a smile upon her full, red lips.
"Beltane," cried Sir Jocelyn gleefully, "Beltane, O dear my friend, doubt me not I do tell thee we shall ride together yet, when the battle joins!" So saying, be sprang to saddle. Now turned Beltane to aid the lady Winfrida to Sir Jocelyn's hold; but, even then, she fell upon her knees, and catching his hand to her bosom, kissed it.
"Wait here, my lord," said Winfrida, "so will I go prepare my lady, Friar Angelo doth stay to do his holy office." So speaking, Winfrida turned and was gone.
Then Beltane drank also, and gave the cup to Winfrida: but, even as he did so, the Duchess uttered a cry and pointed with hand a-tremble: "O Beltane, the moon the moon that was so bright and glorious 'tis gone, the cloud hath blotted it out! Ah, Beltane, what doth this portend? Why do I tremble thus because the moon is gone?"
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