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Page 212
voice broke off suddenly and he slapped himself on the forehead and grinned. "Oh, what a dunderhead I am," he laughed. "Of course. I will write to Sybelle. That will either set the fat in the fire or supply a miraculous curebut she will not fail to send on your warning." Simon put down his empty wine cup and stood up. "Is there anything else?''
"No. Get back now, and hear what Richard says. If he is willing to parley, do nothing. Only send word if he will not receive us."
There was no question of that. Simon was told that Richard wished to speak to him as soon as he reentered Usk, and after he was assured that Simon's fears for Geoffrey had been groundless, he listened eagerly to Simon's news. Far from being reluctant, he was impatient to receive Henry's embassy and, when they came two days later, showed them all the courtesy in his power. Simon, of course, took no part in the negotiations. He was very junior both in status and in years to the others, and he was not even Richard's vassal. However, he was well informed by Geoffrey.
On the surface it was not an unreasonable proposal. To save the king's pride, Richard was to yield Usk to him on the specific agreement that it would be returned intact and undamaged in fifteen days. In return, the king pledged himself to "make all necessary reformations in the kingdom." On the Sunday after Michaelmas, all the parties were to meet at Westminster to discuss what reformation was necessary and to take the proper steps toward it. The bishops and Geoffrey were securities for the king.
Richard was very happy. He felt that the yielding of his castle for two weeks was a small price to pay to achieve all his other objectives. He was prepared to bend his knee and say he was deeply sorry to have offended his overlord. It was true! He was sorry, and he had none of the false pride that would prohibit such an admission. He would not say his purpose was

 
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