"God pardon me your sorrow. You see I am no hypocrite. I keep my vows."
"Yes, messire."
"Madame, let me be forgiven; you have trusted one man, trust another."
She turned her horse suddenly and began to ride towards the black maw of the forest. Her lips were tightly closed, and she looked neither to the right nor the left. Flavian, a tower of steel, was at her side. Armed men ranged in a circle about them. They opened ranks at a sign from their lord, and gave the woman passage.
"Madame----"
"Messire----"
"Am I to be forgiven?"
She was mute a moment, as in thought. Then she spoke quietly enough.
"Yes, for a vow."
"Tell it me."