As yet, she said, she could do nothing for me with Lily Bozard, for my brother Geoffrey was mad with love for her, my father was too ill to meddle in the matter, and Squire Bozard was fiercely set upon the marriage because of the lands that were at stake.

Still, she hinted, things might not always be so, as a time might come when she could speak up for me and not in vain.
Now all this news gave me much cause for thought.

More indeed, it awoke in me a longing for home which was so strong that it grew almost to a sickness.

Her loving words and the perfume that hung about the letter of my betrothed brought Lily back to me in such sort that my heart ached with a desire to be with her.

Moreover I knew that I should be welcome now, for my fortune was far greater than my brother's would ever be, and parents do not show the door to suitors who bring more than twelve thousand golden pieces in their baggage.