"Be it so. I need a young, active lord to be Warden of the Bulgarian March. There will be great glory for you, Messer Hugh."
That night Hugh told Edith.
"What think you of becoming Duchess of Adrianople?" he asked.
She looked at him, troubled and uncertain.
"Whatever you wish, Hugh, that is my wish, too. But——"
She hesitated.
"But what?"
"I love our England."
"Ay, so do I," admitted Hugh.
He could not make up his mind, and in the middle of the night he sought his father's chamber. Sir James listened to his tale in silence.