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Page 63
out of place. Although Simon was sure that danger existed and that Isabella's nervousness was justified, he felt his warning would sound ridiculous.
"My lord," he said uneasily, "I am Simon de Vipont"
"William's squire! I remember you."
"Simon, tell him! Make him believe it is dangerous to stay," Isabella repeated urgently.
"It is also dangerous to go," Richard said, a little more sharply. "Have sense, Isabella. If I am not here to answer this third summons, Henry will have the right to call me a traitor. And I am not! I only want the laws to be observed."
"Then you want more than any man is likely to have, my lord," Simon said.
"That is a hard thing you have said," Richard rejoined cautiously. "I hope the bad response the king has had to his summonses may have given him food for thought"
"The wrong kind of thought," Simon interrupted.
Richard sat more upright in the bath. "What are you talking about?"
"You have not heard about Bassett's land?"
"I know the king seized the manor at Compton on the excuse that Bassett was de Burgh's man and Compton was too close to Devizes where de Burgh is imprisoned"
"No. This is a new thing. Bassett was disseisined of Upavon"
"What? When?" Richard rose from the tub, splashing water in all directions. Isabella hurried forward with a drying cloth, which he seized from her and began to ply about his body hurriedly. "Why did you not tell me this," he said to her, "instead of that farrago about" He stopped abruptly and looked away from Isabella toward Simon.
"I thought you knew," Isabella said, but Richard did not look back at her.

 
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