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Page 334
tral between the women's chambers and all other places, as would be true in a keep, there was little coming and going in it.
Neither Alinor nor Simon could find an excuse to meet, Nor, although both wandered about as much as seemed safe, did they meet by chance. That night there was indeed feasting, dancing, drinking, mummers, and all else that went with the last permissible feast day for forty days. There was also a dearth of ladies, especially young and handsome ones. Joanna and Alinor were besieged at every moment by a circle of men. Once Simon did dance with Alinor by outmaneuvering four other gentlemen, but one could have neither a serious nor a loving talk when surrounded by others and while being constantly separated by the movements of the dance. Moreover, it was impossible to slip away and out into the enclosed garden. Too many young men had their eyes on Alinor, hungering as they were for the company of a woman of their own class who spoke their language.
Favoring her warden was one thing; being rude to King Richard's gentlemen was something entirely different. Alinor laughed and talked and danced. It was a queer thing, she decided, that one could enjoy oneself heartily and yet have a constantly increasing sense of discomfort. Simon was not alone in his near hysteria. All the gentlemen were unnaturally keyed up. From a remark here and there Alinor discerned several causes. There was deep suspicion of King Philip's sincerity of purpose. He had already left to help the besiegers of Acre, but all felt and two said openly that Philip would find an excuse to return to France as soon as Richard was well involved in the Holy Land.
"And then," a young, newly invested Norman baron growled bitterly, "even if he does not make open war for fear of the Pope, he will bribe and corrupt our seneschals and vassals. By the time we return, Normandy will be his."

 
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