Can my fair
cousin not forgive her somewhat vehement kinsman Richard?"
"Who can refuse forgiveness to RICHARD," answered Edith,
"provided Richard can obtain pardon of the KING?"
"Come, my kinswoman," replied Coeur de Lion, "this is all too
solemn. By Our Lady, such a melancholy countenance, and this
ample sable veil, might make men think thou wert a new-made
widow, or had lost a betrothed lover, at least. Cheer up! Thou
hast heard, doubtless, that there is no real cause for woe; why,
then, keep up the form of mourning?"
"For the departed honour of Plantagenet--for the glory which hath
left my father's house."
Richard frowned. "Departed honour! glory which hath left our
house!" he repeated angrily. "But my cousin Edith is
privileged. I have judged her too hastily; she has therefore a
right to deem of me too harshly. But tell me at least in what I
have faulted."
"Plantagenet," said Edith, "should have either pardoned an
offence, or punished it. It misbecomes him to assign free men,
Christians, and brave knights, to the fetters of the infidels.
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