“I knew thou wouldst come this way,” answered the person addressed, and who, it will be inferred, was no other than our friend Bernard, “and I waited here to see thee. Since I was with thee last, I have been in talk with young Clifford, and warned him to be wary.”
“And he has gone?” said Dame Shedlock.
“That has he not,” replied Bernard, “though he is to go, an’ no ill happen him, this even.”
Dame Shedlock turned pale on hearing these words. “An’ he be not gone already,” she said, “he may not go at all. Thou shouldst have urged him to depart incontinently.”
“He gave my warning no heed,” returned Bernard. “He hath no fear of peril.”
“Is he so valiant?” inquired the dame.
“Faith, there be none more so,” answered Bernard. “’Twould do thy heart good, lady, to see what a brave cavalier is he now. I prithee, take pity upon him, and lend him thy countenance.”
“What wouldst thou have me do?” demanded Dame Shedlock.
“Though knowest, lady,” replied Bernard, “that these broad lands, though they be vested in thy husband, be his rightfully; and——”