"Yet with such friends about me, how can I fail?"
To his surprise, Meryl flung away his arm with a passionate movement and started back.
The poor priest's sensitive face quivered.
"What have I done? Richard, what is it?" he cried.
"Nay, nay, 'tis nothing, believe me," Meryl exclaimed, abashed instantly at his action. "I was but startled and wist not what I did. Forgive me!"
But, when Annys was gone, Matilda had not forgiven him.
"To act so rudely to our Robert Annys!" she cried reproachfully.
The young man did not reply at once, but stood with dogged sullenness regarding her fixedly.
"Why, what has come over thee, Richard? I do not know thee."