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Page 483
have heard little news, it is true. Is the war over? Is a treaty signed?"
"What are wars to me?" Joanna snapped. "I go to free my husband, and with God's helpwhich I do not doubt to have because God helps those who help themselvesI will accomplish my purpose. Until then, I will take your parole not to try to escape, but there will be sharp eyes and strong arms to see that you do not. If you do not wish to be trussed like a fowl and carried like a sack of oats, you would do well to keep your word. If you are honest, you will have as easy a journey as I. If you are notI will give you reason to be sorry for it."
Joanna pulled back her skirt a little and curled her legs under her preparatory to rising. She looked at Sir Léon, even extended a hand toward him, but he merely stared at it uncomprehendingly. Before the hand was withdrawn, both Sir Guy and Knud were beside her. Rank has its privileges. Joanna placed her hand in Sir Guy's and he lifted her to her feet. She looked down at Sir Léon, shook her head, and laughed.
"I hope, Sir Leon, that your neglect was owing to resentment. If it was not, I understand well why you were surprised that your wife should want you back. Certainly I would not. I imagine any woman could do very well without the company of so coarse a lout. My common servant is more 'gentle' in his manners."
Until that moment resentment was very far from Sir Léon's mind. His emotions were compounded equally of amazement at Joanna's personality, puzzlement at how his wife had come to hold so important a prisoner, and gratitude to everyone and anyone for having brought about a thing he had almost ceased to hope for. The contempt with which Joanna regarded him stung, however, specially as he did not see how he had deserved it. He had been taken prisoner, but certainly not through tame yielding, and that could happen to any man overwhelmed by superior force. Besides, her own husband had been taken prisoner. That Joanna felt no contempt for Lord Geoffreyin spite of the queer things

 
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