Your majesty, I have a boon to ask." "You have but to name it, Sir Walter, and it is yours." "Sir Cuthbert, here," he said, pointing to the young knight, who was sorrowfully kneeling by his bedside, "is as a son to me.

The relationship by blood is but slight, but by affection it is as close as though he were mine own.

I have, as your majesty knows, no male heirs, and my daughter is but young, and will now be a royal ward.

I beseech your majesty to bestow her in marriage, when the time comes, upon Sir Cuthbert.

They have known each other as children, and the union will bring happiness, methinks, to both, as well as strength and protection to her; and further, if it might be, I would fain that you should bestow upon him my title and dignity." "It shall be so," the king said.