Having requested to speak
with her apart, he was ushered into her apartment, adjoining that
of the Queen, whose two female Coptish slaves remained on their
knees in the most remote corner during the interview. A thin
black veil extended its ample folds over the tall and graceful
form of the high-born maiden, and she wore not upon her person
any female ornament of what kind soever. She arose and made a low
reverence when Richard entered, resumed her seat at his command,
and, when he sat down beside her, waited, without uttering a
syllable, until he should communicate his pleasure.
Richard, whose custom it was to be familiar with Edith, as their
relationship authorized, felt this reception chilling, and opened
the conversation with some embarrassment.
"Our fair cousin," he at length said, "is angry with us; and we
own that strong circumstances have induced us, without cause, to
suspect her of conduct alien to what we have ever known in her
course of life. But while we walk in this misty valley of
humanity, men will mistake shadows for substances.
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