"Nay, mock me not, friend, for I do know myself of none account."
"And in the second place, Beltane, to save this fair city of Belsaye."
"Nay, how mean you?"
"I mean that Belsaye cannot fall whiles it holdeth Helen the Proud. And the reason this—now mark me, Beltane! Since her father's death Duke Ivo hath had his glutton eye on fair Mortain, whereof her counsellors did ken, yet, being old men and averse to war, would fain have had her wed with him. Now upon a day word reached me in Thrasfordham bidding me come to her and Waldron of Brand at Winisfarne. So, as thou dost know, stole I from my goodly castle and marched north. But on the way she came to me bedight in mail, and she and I took counsel together. Wherefore came she hither to Belsaye and sent speedy messengers to Sir Jocelyn of Alain and others of her greatest lords and knights, bidding them come down with all their powers—nay, why shake ye gloomy head, fond boy? Body o' me, Beltane, I tell thee this—to-day she—"
"To-day," sighed Beltane, frowning, "to-day she spurneth me! Kneeling at her feet e'en as I was she shrank away as I had leprous been!"
"Aye, lad, and then—didst woo as well as kneel to her, didst clasp her to thee, lift her proud head that needs must she give to thine her eyes—she is in sooth very woman—did you this, my Beltane?"
"Ah, dear Benedict, she that I love was not wont to shrink from me thus! 'Tis true I am unworthy—and yet, she spurned me—so is her love dead, methinks!"
"So art thou but youth, and foolish youth, and belike, foolish, hungry youth—so come, let us break our fast together."
"Not I, Benedict, for if love be dead, no mind have I to food."
"O lad—lad!" sighed Sir Benedict, "would I had one as fair and noble to love me in such sort!" And turning, he gazed sad-eyed towards Belsaye's great minster, and sighing, went his way.