But the knight of the black plume stepped back a pace, and raising his visor, disclosed the features of Henry of Stramen, cold, haughty, and showing just the traces of a smile of disdain.
Gladly at that moment would Gilbert have fallen into his arms and entreated him to forget the past; but there were too many eyes to witness a repulse.

He contented himself by saying: "Sir, you have preserved my life, and with the grace of God you shall not repent it." Henry made no reply, and they parted.
Gilbert was far too generous to regret an incident which laid him under such deep obligations to Henry of Stramen.

He rejoiced that it had occurred, for it might remove the mortification produced by their late encounter, and diminish the mortal hatred with which he was regarded.

He was also well disposed to welcome any accident that might give him a pretext for conciliating the house of Stramen.

Henry perhaps secretly exulted that he had conferred a favor upon Gilbert that would gall his heart, while it poured a balm upon his own.