"A ride—at night?"
"Surely—why not—on a fine night and with a gallant escort?"
"Nay, Richard," the Queen broke in, "do not distress him. Sir Aymer, Beatrix is with her uncle, and as they have been absent since before vespers, they must soon return."
De Lacy's face cleared so quickly that Richard smiled.
"A bad case, truly," he commented, putting his arm about the Queen. "Has the lady the disease so deep?"
"I would not tell you even if I knew," she answered.
"Nay, I only jested… But seriously, De Lacy, why should the wedding be delayed … why not have the ceremony here at Pontefract before we go Southward?"
"That it has not already taken place is no fault of mine———"
"It is, sir; you should have won the Countess to consent," the King interrupted.
"Her wish runs with mine."