“Yes.”
“Is it true, Ughtred, that you went through some sort of a betrothal ceremony with the Countess of Reist?”
He laughed heartily. Then he told her the story. She listened with grave face.
“You were scarcely to blame,” she said, when he had finished. “But, Ughtred, I have begun to understand what should have been plain to me from the first—what you too should have thought of, perhaps. Our engagement would never be welcomed by your people. They love the old families and the old names. It would make you unpopular, and I believe it is at the bottom of your disagreement with the Reists. You must forget what you said, dear. It is best, indeed.”
He turned upon her for the moment almost fiercely. He was overwrought.
“You, too!” he exclaimed. “My God, how lonely people can leave a King when the evil times come.”
He saw her look of pain, and the tears fill her eyes. He turned suddenly and threw his arms about her.
“You love me, Sara. You do not want to take that back?”
“You know that I do not,” she answered.