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remarkable degree all the weeks he had been abed. This irritability was not at all like him; it was unnatural. |
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"He does not like the sixty-first article," Salisbury said, his voice distant. |
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"But Geoffrey," Adam cried, leaping in where his elders were too cautious to tread, "how else can there be surety that the king will keep the other articles? If the sixty-first article was not written in, Magna Carta would be as worthless as all John's other promises. OhI beg your pardon, my lord." Like his mother, Adam blushed readily, and he retired into his goblet of wine in some confusion. |
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"In any case, the barons would so believe," Salisbury remarked. |
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Ian turned and stared at him. His lips parted, then he swallowed. He had not been alone with his friend since he had returned from France. Salisbury knew John for what he was, Ian realized. |
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"I think the king intends to abide by the agreement," Ian said hearteningly. "I am not sure I agree wholeheartedly with the sixty-first article, but it will serve to stimulate John's memory if he should sometimes forget. It is not meant to be used, only" |
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Geoffrey looked from one face to another. "I hope to God you are right," he said less violently, "But I tell you, I do not believe it. To me, the fact that John signed a charter with such an article in it says one thing onlyhe has a way to overturn the agreement." |
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Salisbury said nothing. He looked down at the wine in the goblet between his hands. Ian looked at him, looked back at Geoffrey who drew breath sharply but continued doggedly. |
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"And if any of you thinks signing any charter or any ten charters will silence Vesci and Fitz Walter, you are either deluding yourselves or are much stupider than I have ever believed. That article is there only to give them the right to prosecute this rebellion." His face set and bitter, Geoffrey walked to the tableshort step, long stepand seized the last goblet. "I will drink to peace, but I tell you, gentlemen, you had better look to your weapons for what is coming is real war." |
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