“We are late on the road; I can make no tarrying.”

The door quivered a moment as though shaken by a gusty wind. Everything was quiet again, and Igraine could hear the man breathing. Putting her mouth to the crack between post and hinge-board she laughed stridently as though in scorn.

“Igraine!”

The voice was half-imperative, half-appealing.

“My very dear lord!”

“Are you abed?”

“No, dear lord.”

“Open to me; I would kiss your lips before I sally.”

“You have never kissed me these many days.”

“True, wife; is it fault of mine?”