“Sir,” said she, “I would be right sorry to be less.”
“Of that I am well assured,” replied he. “Saw you of late my sister?”
Isoult answered that she had not seen Philippa lately; and he, bowing low, bade our Lady keep her, and departed. Isoult came home trembling like an aspen leaf. She knew well that, did his faith come into question, ties of friendship would have little weight with James Basset.
The next morning brought Philippa Basset.
“Well,” said she, “Isoult, so thou fellest in with my brother James yesterday?”
“I did so,” answered Isoult, rather shortly.
“He told me so much,” pursued she; “and said he had forgot to ask where thou dwelledst. So I told him.”
Isoult drew her breath hard.
“I know not whether to thank you for that, Mrs Basset,” observed John.
Philippa began to laugh.