"Thine anger affrights me not, yet it hurts thyself.

Listen, mine own beloved, and I will tell thee the cruel, and yet blessed, truth.
"Seven months after I left thee, a messenger reached our camp, bearing letters from England; no word for me from thee; but a long missive from thy half-sister Eleanor, breaking to me the news that, being weary of my absence, and somewhat over-persuaded, thou hadst wedded Humphry; Earl of Carnforth.
"It was no news to me, that Humphry sought to win thee; but, that thou hadst let thyself be won away from thy vow to me, was hell's own tidings.
"In my first rage of grief I would have speech with none.

But, by-and-by, I sought the messenger, and asked him casually of things at home.

He told me he had seen thy splendid nuptials with the lord of Carnforth, had been present at the marriage, and joined in the after revels and festivities.

He said thou didst make a lovely bride, but somewhat sad, as if thy mind strayed elsewhere.