Page:A C Doyle - The White Company.djvu/158

130 that I might put it into rhyme, with the whole romance—the luckless maid, the wicked socman, and the virtuous clerk! So might our fame have gone down together for all time, and you be numbered with Sir Percival or Sir Galahad, or all the other rescuers of oppressed ladies.'

'What I did,' said Alleyne, 'was too small a thing for thanks; and yet, if I may say it without offence, it was too grave and near a matter for mirth and raillery. I had counted on my brother's love, but God has willed that it should be otherwise. It is a joy to me to see you again, lady, and to know that you have reached home in safety, if this be indeed your home.'

'Yes, in sooth, Castle Twynham is my home, and Sir Nigel Loring my father. I should have told you so this morning, but you said that you were coming hither, so I bethought me that I might hold it back as a surprise to you. Oh dear, but it was brave to see you!' she cried, bursting out a-laughing once more, standing with her hand pressed to her side, and her half-closed eyes twinkling with amusement. 'You drew back and came forward with your eyes upon my book there, like the mouse who sniffs the cheese and yet dreads the trap.' 'I take shame, said Alleyne, 'that I should have touched it.'

'Nay, it warmed my very heart to see it. So glad was I that I laughed for very pleasure. My fine preacher can himself be tempted then, thought I; he is not made of another clay to the rest of us.'

'God help me! I am the weakest of the weak,' groaned Alleyne. 'I pray that I may have more strength.'

'And to what end?' she asked sharply. 'If you are, as I understand, to shut yourself for ever in your cell within the four walls of an abbey, then of what use would it be were your prayer to be answered?'

'The use of my own salvation.'

She turned from him with a pretty shrug and wave. 'Is that all? ' she said. 'Then you are no better than Father