“Thus much,” replied Custance; “that, leave given, I will go with thee to London.”
“Well said!” was the answer, in a tone which intimated that it was more than Isabel expected.
“But mark me, Isabel! I byhote (promise) nought beyond.”
“Oh ay!—well and good.”
“And for thus much yielding, I demand to have again the keeping of my childre.”
“Good lack! thou treatest with the King’s Grace as though thou wert queen of some land thyself,” said Isabel, with a little laugh. “Verily, that goeth beyond my commission: but methinks I can make bold to say thus much: that an’ thou come with me, they shall be suffered at the least to see thee and speak with thee.”
Custance shook her head decidedly.
“That shall not serve.”
“Nay, then, we be again at a point. I can but give mine avisement unto thee to come thither and see.”
The point was sturdily fought over on both sides. Isabel dared promise nothing more than that Custance should be allowed to see her children, and that she herself would do her utmost to obtain further concessions. At last it was settled that the King should be appealed to, and the request urged upon him by his emissary, by letter. Isabel, however, was evidently gifted with no slight ambassadorial powers; for when she selected Bertram Lyngern as her messenger, the Governor did not hesitate to let him go.