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frey rest than with what she might be getting into. |
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That decided Gilliane. Besides, what Léon had said about Joanna, although not complimentary, infused Gilliane with the hope that Joanna might know what to do. |
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"You must tell him what you think best," Gilliane began. "My mother-by-marriage is a good woman," she said next, "butbut she has had a hard life. Her husband was killed in the wars between Richard and Philip and she had a desperate struggle to hold these lands. Then Léon was taken" |
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"It is the English she thinks of as devils," Joanna said with sudden revelation. "She is not mad; she just hates the English." |
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"Of course she is not mad." Gilliane looked surprised. "Well, perhaps a little on that subject, but why should youOh, I see, because she has remained in the women's chambers. Yes. Well, that was because Léon knew she would not be civil to Geoffrey and he is most strict on polite behavior to a guest. He said she must pretend to be ill. But" |
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"That was why you locked Geoffrey up." |
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Gilliane nodded. "Yes, she was willing to keep him because Louis said there would be a great ransom, but when she heard of the English queen's offer. . . . The idea grew in her mind, and it seems that she has been thinking more and more of it since you brought the goldthinking to double it again. I am sorry. It is dreadful, but she is growing old andand the past is more real to her than the present." |
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Joanna was not much afraid of the old woman. Having been warned, the danger was gone. The chill she had felt, the "smell" of fear did not rise up. It would only mean that Geoffrey must be guarded while he slept. Even she or Edwina could overpower Sir Léon's mother. "I will take care," she assured Gilliane, "that my husband is never alone. I" She stopped speaking abruptly as Gilliane shook her head. |
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"That is not important except to explain what is worse. Louis is not like Léon, although he used to be. He is not a bad man, but he is bitter? Ambitious? His ties are to his fam- |
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