"I do not wonder," he said. "He could not help it. How could he help it? Had I been the lad, I should have done just the same."
Neither of us spoke, for I do not think either of us knew what was in his mind.
"Dost thou love this boy—my boy Roland?" he asked of Constance presently.
Her face became rosy red, and her eyes gleamed brightly.
"Ay, I do," she said.
"Then wilt thou kiss me, my child?"
Had it been any other man on earth I should have been jealous, but my heart rejoiced as I saw him kiss my love, for I knew what he thought of her.
After that he asked us many questions, and when we had answered them he said sadly, "I have made all provisions."
"What provisions?" I asked.
"Even for thy wedding, and for thy departure," he said sadly. "To-morrow morn thou shalt go to the old church and be wedded, and then thou must e'en ride to Gravesend and take passage in the vessel there. Perchance, when another king cometh, thou canst return again, but not until then."