Page:Tales from Chaucer.djvu/234

 ever distress or change my heart. I desire nothing, and I dread to lose nothing, yourself alone excepted; this thought is rooted in my heart, and it shall ever remain so: neither length of time nor death itself can deface or change the courage of my purpose.'

The Marquis secretly rejoiced at her answer, but he feigned otherwise; and leaving the chamber with a sorrowful air, he privately conferred with a dependant, whom he possessed of his intention, and sent to the apartment of his wife. This commoner was a sort of sergeant, who had heretofore been found trustworthy in important matters—such agents, we know, can also at times be equally faithful in a cruel errand. The Lord well knew that he both loved and feared him; so when the fellow had received his orders, he silently stalked into the room.

'Madam,' said he, 'it is not for one like me to inform you of our hard necessity to obey in all things the will of our Lords; and you must forgive me, who am constrained to do that which of my own free will I would refuse. I am commanded to take away this