"THOU too boldly!--the sun might as well ask pardon because his
rays entered the windows of some wretch's dungeon. But I was
busied with work unfit for thee to witness, my gentle one; and I
was unwilling, besides, that thou shouldst risk thy precious
health where sickness had been so lately rife."
"But thou art now well?" said the Queen, still delaying the
communication which she feared to make.
"Well enough to break a lance on the bold crest of that champion
who shall refuse to acknowledge thee the fairest dame in
Christendom."
"Thou wilt not then refuse me one boon--only one--only a poor
life?"
"Ha!--proceed," said King Richard, bending his brows.
"This unhappy Scottish knight--" murmured the Queen.
"Speak not of him, madam," exclaimed Richard sternly; "he dies
--his doom is fixed."
"Nay, my royal liege and love, 'tis but a silken banner
neglected. Berengaria will give thee another broidered with her
own hand, and rich as ever dallied with the wind. Every pearl I
have shall go to bedeck it, and with every pearl I will drop a
tear of thankfulness to my generous knight.
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