He shrugged.
“I walked in the wood to keep fools from straying upon you, and when I came close I said my prayers so that you should hear.”
His head poked forward on its long neck like the head of a vulture, and he seemed to sniff the air.
“What tidings, Isoult; what tidings?”
“The falcon is tamed.”
“What? You have cozened him? May all comely women be praised! I did not believe that the man lived who could say you nay.”
She caught the leer in his voice, and guessed how he would be looking at her and licking his red lips. And from that moment she hated Merlin with all the hot pride of her nature.
“Make no boast of it, for I do not.”
He laughed gloatingly, and she could have struck him in the face with her knife.
“Are you sure of the fool, Isoult?”