“And more unhappily still, I am so foolishly fond of her, that I would sooner have her in her smock, than any other woman with half England for a dower.”
“Then I suppose I must look out for another champion.”
“Or save yourself the trouble, by being—just as a change—an honest man.”
“I believe you are right,” said Gilbert, laughing; “but it is hard to begin so late in life.”
“And after one has had so little practice.”
“Aha! Thou art the same merry dog of a Hereward. Come along. But could we not poison this Dolfin, after all?”
To which proposal Hereward gave no encouragement.
“And now, my très beausire, may I ask you, in return, what business brings you to Flanders?”
“Have I not told you?”
“No, but I have guessed. Gilbert of Ghent is on his way to William of Normandy.”