The Queen hastened to
distinguish the favourite by a rich bracelet, and many of the
nobles who were present followed the royal example.
"Is our cousin Edith," said the King, "become insensible to the
sound of the harp she once loved?"
"She thanks Blondel for his lay," replied Edith, "but doubly the
kindness of the kinsman who suggested it."
"Thou art angry, cousin," said the King; "angry because thou hast
heard of a woman more wayward than thyself. But you escape me
not. I will walk a space homeward with you towards the Queen's
pavilion. We must have conference together ere the night has
waned into morning."
The Queen and her attendants were now on foot, and the other
guests withdrew from the royal tent. A train with blazing
torches, and an escort of archers, awaited Berengaria without the
pavilion, and she was soon on her way homeward. Richard, as he
had proposed, walked beside his kinswoman, and compelled her to
accept of his arm as her support, so that they could speak to
each other without being overheard.
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