They departed, and Time did show quicker than he levels abbeys, for at the second step Margaret stopped, and could neither go one way nor the other, but stood stock still.
"Reicht," said she, piteously, "what else have I on earth? I cannot."
"Who ever said you could? Think you I paid attention? Words are woman's breath. Come back for him without more ado; 'tis time we were in our beds, much more he."
Reicht led the way, and Margaret followed readily enough in that direction; but as they drew near the cell she stopped again.
"Reicht, go you and ask him will he give me back my boy; for I could not bear the sight of him."
"Alas! mistress, this do seem a sorry ending after all that hath been betwixt you twain. Bethink thee now, doth thine heart whisper no excuse for him? dost verily hate him for whom thou hast waited so long? Oh weary world!"
"Hate him, Reicht? I would not harm a hair of his head for all that is in nature; but look on him I cannot; I have taken a horror of him. Oh! when I think of all I have suffered for him, and what I came here this night to do for him, and brought my own darling to kiss him and call him father. Ah; Luke, my poor chap, my wound showeth me thine. I have thought too little of thy pangs, whose true affection I despised: and now my own is despised. Reicht, if the poor lad was here now, he would have a good chance."
"Well, he is not far off," said Reicht Heynes, but somehow she did not say it with alacrity.
"Speak not to me of any man," said Margaret, bitterly, "I hate them all."
"For the sake of one?"