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and Berengaria was greatly moved by what she thought was sympathy with the realization of her dream. Fortunately Alinor could not think of the proper words with which to warn Berengaria at first. By the time she had planned what to say, she recognized the stupidity of saying anything. Richard might reform totally. If so, Berengaria was his choice and he might truly love her. Even if Richard did not reform but only desired to beget an heir upon his wife, his manners were beautiful. Berengaria might never realize that his passion was spurious. It never occurred to Alinor at that time that Berengaria might prefer the fairytale love to the real thing, but she did realize that to break Berengaria's dream would be unkind and unnecessary as well as dangerous. |
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By November, when the Queen's party had safely recrossed the Pyrenees, Alinor was Berengaria's chief confidant. She alone of the ladies, aside from the Queen, could read and had read many of the tales that Berengaria loved and almost believed. Moreover, after more than a year of traveling with the Queen, Alinor was inured to hardship in a way that Berengaria was not. She could offer little hints on the best ways to be comfortable, perform little services that would ease the Princess physically. To seal their friendship, Alinor told of her own fairytale love, but what she really felt and who her lover was she did not confess. If Simon had turned his eyes elsewhere, Alinor did not wish to be pitied. It took some time before Alinor realized that Berengaria's curiosity and affection could be put to a practical use. |
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"I cannot tell you who my knight is," Alinor said very gravely. "It would be dangerous to me and to him." |
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"Do you think I would betray you?" Berengaria asked, lifting her eyes from the fine stitchery of a pair of gloves she was making for her future husband. |
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Temporarily there was time and warm enough hands for embroidery. Their hurried travels had been sus- |
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