"Not in no wise, Dame," answered Roger, boldly.
"Not in no wise, quotha! Why what ails thee at him?"
"I love him not, Dame, nor he me."
"Dear heart, here is a pity! But thou lovest my Lady Alice, trow?—though she be but a woman." The Princess's fat shoulders shook with laughter.
"Our young cousin's chivalry is scarce fledged, methinks," said the King.
"If you will learn me, Sire, I will do your bidding," said Roger, who did not know what bashfulness was. "My Lady Alice, said your Grace? Good lack, but I cannot abear her!"
"Cannot bear her, quotha! Nay, now, she is to be thy wife!"
"My Lord the King's command except, that shall she never!" said Roger sturdily.
"See you, fair Son?" was the Princess's comment, with a glance at the King. "And wouldst thou be much aggrieved, little Cousin, if thou wert to depart thence, and to dwell in another household, where thou shouldst have jolly lads and lasses to pleasure and couldst see the King thy cousin well-nigh thee, every day?"
Roger's eyes shone with delight.