Then the great wave fell.
Launce flung face down on the gravel like the kitchen-maid. The world went out. Voices and wild words passed him.
“He reined him back, I tell you, as I’m a living man!”
“What d’ye mean?”
“There, at the foot of the steps. We’d a’ had Monseigneur as we had the mare. Sim’s hand was on the bridle. But Master Geoff reined him back.”
“For God’s sake, don’t say so to the master, then. He’s like mad down there. We had to hold him, or he’d have killed Sim that caught him out of the rush.”
“He reined Monsiegneur back, or we’d a’ had him up the steps before the wave fell. We’d a’ saved him.” The groom seemed to be sobbing.
“Not against his will, lad. He’s al’ays took his will, has our Master Geoff—”
“And her ladyship—?”
“Hush. None’ll know that—”