Hildebrand reiterated his nickname with a sneer:
“King Robert the Foolish! King Robert the Wise means to begin his reign by beheading his court-fool as an example to all other fools and courtiers. So bustle, man; bring out your blade and be off.”
Theron turned away with a gesture of sorrow.
“King Robert the Bad!” he said, beneath his breath. Then he entered his hut again and passed to an inner room, where Perpetua sat spinning. As she looked up he laid his finger on his lip.
“I am called to Syracuse,” he said. “Bolt doors and bar windows. Make all fast and firm. Open to none till I return.”
“Why, who should come?” Perpetua asked, pausing in her work. Her clear eyes saw the trouble in her father’s face, but she did not seek its cause, for he had laid finger on lip.
Theron shivered as if cold. “I do not know,” he said. “Open to none.”
Perpetua rose and rested her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.
“You speak as if you feared something,” she whispered.