Rise, dear Edith. I am sorry
I have played my foolery with a knight in whom you take such deep
interest. Nay, wring not thy hands; I will believe thou carest
not for him--believe anything rather than see thee look so
wretchedly miserable. I tell thee I will take the blame on
myself with King Richard in behalf of thy fair Northern friend
--thine acquaintance, I would say, since thou own'st him not as a
friend. Nay, look not so reproachfully. We will send Nectabanus
to dismiss this Knight of the Standard to his post; and we
ourselves will grace him on some future day, to make amends for
his wild-goose chase. He is, I warrant, but lying perdu in some
neighbouring tent."
"By my crown of lilies, and my sceptre of a specially good water-reed," said Nectabanus, "your Majesty is
mistaken, He is nearer
at hand than you wot--he lieth ensconced there behind that canvas
partition."
"And within hearing of each word we have said!" exclaimed the
Queen, in her turn violently surprised and agitated. "Out,
monster of folly and malignity!"
As she uttered these words, Nectabanus fled from the pavilion
with a yell of such a nature as leaves it still doubtful whether
Berengaria had confined her rebuke to words, or added some more
emphatic expression of her displeasure.
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