“Etienne, Etienne, methought thou didst love me!”
“And do I not so, my lord?”
“Then stay with me. I am the King. What 's a peasant maid?”
“What 's knighthood, my lord, what 's honour?”
“Is no knighthood in following after a peasant,” sobbed Richard. “Such-like maids be for pleasure of the noblesse. Robert de Vere told me.”
“I do never pattern my demeanour after his Lordship of Oxford,” said Stephen coldly.
“When I was a little lad, they sang me tales of how all the world did love to do the bidding of the King,‘ said Richard; ’but it is not true. O me, it is not true! I hate Calote!”
“Yet 't is she that puts body and soul in peril to do thee service.”
“I 'd liefer she stayed at home, and wedded thee peaceable.”
“God wot, so would I!” Stephen exclaimed. “But she will not.”