"My own eyes saw yonder
Conrade tremble and change colour like a base thief; he is
guilty, and the trial by combat is an appeal to the justice of
God. I myself, in such a cause, would encounter him without
fear."
"By the mass, I think thou wouldst, wench," said the King, "and
beat him to boot, for there never breathed a truer Plantagenet
than thou."
He paused, and added in a very serious tone, "See that thou
continue to remember what is due to thy birth."
"What means that advice, so seriously given at this moment?"
said Edith. "Am I of such light nature as to forget my name--my
condition?"
"I will speak plainly, Edith," answered the King, "and as to a
friend. What will this knight be to you, should he come off
victor from yonder lists?"
"To me?" said Edith, blushing deep with shame and displeasure.
"What can he be to me more than an honoured knight, worthy of
such grace as Queen Berengaria might confer on him, had he
selected her for his lady, instead of a more unworthy choice?
The meanest knight may devote himself to the service of an
empress, but the glory of his choice," she said proudly, "must be
his reward.
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