“Aye, and strange news concerning her have I for thine ear. Thou knowest ’tis scarce a twelvemonth since the death of her husband Simon; and she has again entered the holy estate of matrimony.”
“Impossible!” exclaimed Adela. “She who so longed for the quiet of conventual life!”
“She was forced to forego her own inclinations to escape the tyranny of Rufus,” returned Henry.
“Poor Maude!” said Adela, “her life has been a continual sacrifice to the selfish interests of others.”
“Her patient meekness disarms even her cruel fate,” said Henry. “Simon always regarded her with the most devoted affection, and made her sole heir to all her father’s former possessions. It is said that our brother Rufus had fixed his eye upon the charming widow, and that to avoid his addresses, she accepted the hand of David, prince of Scotland.”
“She will then be thy best advocate with David’s sister, Matilda.”
“Truth,” said Henry. “The future Queen of Scotland shall aid to place the crown on the head of the future Queen of England. Farewell. When I come again I hope to present thee my lovely bride.”
“Heaven speed thy purpose,” said the countess, fervently, and thus they parted.
CHAPTER XII.
| “I rather tell thee what is to be feared, Than what I fear.” |