I supposed that a vow of fealty to any lady would have been taken by her as somewhat on which to pride herself maybe, from whomsoever it came.

Which seemed to be foolishness in this fresh light.

Still, it came to me that her anger was not altogether fair, for I was the one who had to stand the jesting, and not one of my honest comrades so much as mentioned her name lightly in any wise.
"That was no jest of mine, Elfrida," I said gravely enough.

"If there is any jest at all that will come from my oath, it will be that I have been foolish enough to vow fealty to one who despises me.

The last thing that I would do is anything that might hurt you.
And my vow stands fast, whether you scorn me or not, for if it was made in a moment, it is not as if I had not had long years to think on in which we have been good friends enough." "Ay," she said, turning from me and reaching some apples that yet hung on a sheltered bough, "I have heard the terms of that vow from my father, more than once.