down toward the mire and filth which for a while as yet must be my
kennel. I go. I go alone. Do you bid me return?"

The girl was perfectly calm. She took a ring of diamonds from her hand,
and placed it on his little finger, because the others were too large.

"While life endures I pledge you faith and service, Perion. There is no
need to speak of love."

"There is no need," he answered. "Oh, does God think that I will live
without you!"

"I suppose they will give me to King Theodoret. The terrible old man
has set my body as the only price that will buy him off from ravaging
Poictesme, and he is stronger in the field than Emmerick. Emmerick is
afraid of him, and Ayrart here has need of the King's friendship in
order to become a cardinal. So my kinsmen must make traffic of my eyes
and lips and hair. But first I wed you, Perion, here in the sight of
God, and I bid you return to me, who am your wife and servitor for ever
now, whatever lesser men may do."

"I will return," he said.

Then in a little while she withdrew her lips from his lips.


"Cover my face, Ayrart. It may be I shall weep presently. Men must not
see the wife of Perion weep. Cover my face, for he is going now, and I
cannot watch his going."