The Council of Regency established in Scotland, discontented with Edward’s arbitration, referred the question of their independence to the Pope, and that wily potentate settled the matter in his own interests, by declaring Scotland a fief of the Holy See. The King was still warring in that vicinity; the young Queen was left with her baby boy in Yorkshire to await his return.
It was a hot July day, and Vivian, who highly disapproved of the stagnation of Berkhamsted, declared his intention of going out to hunt. People hunted in all weathers and seasons in the Middle Ages. Ademar declined to accompany him, and he contented himself by taking two of the Earl’s squires and a handful of archers as company. The Earl did not interfere with Vivian’s proceedings. He was quite aware that the quiet which he loved was by no means to everybody’s taste; and he left his retinue at liberty to amuse themselves as they pleased.
Vivian did not think it necessary to turn the key on Clarice; but he gave her a severe lecture on discreet behaviour which astonished her, since her conscience did not accuse her of any breach of that virtue, and she could not trace the course of her husband’s thoughts. Clarice meekly promised to bear the recommendation in mind; and Vivian left her to her own devices.
The day dragged heavily. Mistress Underdone sat with Heliet and Clarice at work; but not much work was gone through, for in everybody’s opinion it was too hot to do anything. The tower in which they were was at the back of the Castle, and looked upon the inner court. The Earl’s apartments were in the next tower, and there, despite the heat, he was going over sundry grants and indentures with Father Bevis and his bailiff, always considering the comfort and advantage of his serfs and tenants. The sound of a horn outside warned the ladies that in all probability Vivian was returning home; and whether his temper were good, bad, or indifferent was likely to depend on the condition of his hunting-bags. Good, was almost too much to hope for. With a little smothered sigh Clarice ventured to hope that it might not be worse than indifferent. Her comfort for the next day or two would be much affected by it.
They looked out of the window, but all they saw was Ademar crossing the inner court with rapid steps, and disappearing within the Earl’s tower. There was some noise in the outer court, but no discernible solution of it. The ladies went back to their work. Much to their surprise, ten minutes later, the Earl himself entered the chamber. It was not at all his wont to come there. When he had occasion to send orders to Clarice concerning his household arrangements, he either sent for her or conveyed them through Vivian. These were the Countess’s rooms which they were now occupying, and the Earl had never crossed the threshold since she left the Castle.
They looked up, and saw in his face that he had news to tell them. And all at once Clarice rose and exclaimed—“Vivian!”
“Dame, I grieve to tell you that your knight has been somewhat hurt in his hunting.”
Clarice was not conscious of any feeling but the necessity of knowing all. And that she had not yet been told all she felt certain.
“Much hurt?” she asked.
“I fear so,” answered the Earl.