"What!" cried William, "is that so?—and yet you told me not?"
The poor girl blushed to the roots of her hair, amid all her sorrow, as she answered—
"We were betrothed last week, and this night he would have told you all; he comes to London on no State business: it was to ask my uncle's consent. And now," murmured the heart-stricken girl, "now I may lose him—lose him for ever!"
"Oh, Susan," said her brother, throwing his arms around her, "I knew not of this; and yet I might have guessed it when I saw that bright ring sparkling on your finger. I rejoice thereat greatly; now we shall be brothers indeed, Geoffrey and Ralph and I! Trust him to us, my dear one; we will watch over him as he will over us; we will bring him back to you by the blessing and help of God!"
But Susan wept bitterly, her heart refused comfort. And so with reluctant steps William left her; his errand to the Embassy must be done!
"God wills it, God wills it," he said to himself in the spirit of the old Crusaders as he set forth.
CHAPTER X
WHITEHALL
Supper was served that evening at Whitehall with more than customary state and splendour—for King Philip was present.
The Queen was royally attired in robes of purple velvet, and men noted that, to-night, she wore her famous diamonds.