Then the Duchess let fall the dagger and reached out her hands.
"Godric!" she sighed, "O Godric!"
CHAPTER XXI
OF THE TALE OF GODRIC THE HUNTSMAN
Thus came white-haired old Godric the huntsman, lusty despite his years, bright-eyed and garrulous with joy, to fall upon his knees before his lady and to kiss those outstretched hands.
"Godric!" she cried, "'tis my good Godric!" and laughed, though with lips a-tremble.
"O sweet mistress," quoth he, "now glory be to the kind Saint Martin that I do see thee again hale and well. These many days have I followed hard upon thy track, grieving for thee—"
"Yet here am I in sooth, my Godric, and joyful, see you!"
"Ah, dear my lady, thy wilfulness hath e'en now brought thee into dire perils and dangers. O rueful day!"
"Nay, Godric, my wilfulness hath brought me unto my heart's desire. O most joyful day!"