“Bertram, thou art my great enemy!”
(“Is there no mercy for me? I his enemy!) I thy enemy, Robert? Do I not love thee? Who supported thee in battle, whose arm hath been thine, who would lay all the riches of the world at thy feet? I, who am—”
“Thou who art-“
“Dost thou remember the whisperings in thy home? Thy living father, who was changed, and thy mother’s woes? canst thou not guess my name?”
The youth looked on the white knight for a moment; then, with a flood of tears, he was on his knees before this strange being; his arms around the white knight’s waist, and Bertram’s small white hands resting on his head.
“Fear not; I will never leave thee!”
Then Robert saw the face above him change. He turned quickly, and found Alice standing there.
“Robert!”
The white knight stood before her toweringly; but, as she stepped forward, he, with all his power, was forced to give way.
“Robert, I bring thee a happy message. The duke of Grenada cannot pass the holy threshold of the cathedral.”