Roger had arrived at the age when a boy is rather ashamed of being kissed, and feels it a humiliation. But like a true gentleman as he was in nature as well as name, he put his own feelings aside, and permitted his old nurse to pet him to her heart's content.
"And now, mine heart, give me leave to ask you," inquired Guenllian, in whose diction the new deference was somewhat at variance with the old familiar love, "if you be welsome and happy hereaway?"
"Very, very happy," said Roger's eyes no less than his voice. The Lady Alianora had been unusually complaisant for the past week.
"And how did your Lordship like at Arundel Castle?"
"Very ill, Wenteline. I am rejoiced to be away thence."
Guenllian was privately rejoiced to hear it.
"Metrusteth Lawrence continueth a good lad?"
"Much better than Roger," said the owner of the latter name, with a bright laugh. "He alway were so."
"And your Lordship, as I do hear, is in right high favour with the King?"
Roger smiled and blushed slightly. His honours were still fresh upon him.