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Page 36
his meddling in the realm's governance again."
"Then it was spite," Sybelle said distastefully. "The king was not satisfied that de Burgh should be comfortable in his imprisonment. He wished him to suffer."
"No," Simon contradicted slowly. "I do not like Henry, but he is not a man to be cruel for the sake of cruelty alone. It is true that he has increased the severity of the conditions under which de Burgh is heldI have even heard that the old man is kept manacledbut there is some other reason, not simply a desire to be cruel."
"Why not?"
"Henry does not enjoy making others sufferthat much I know of him. Besides, if cruelty was the purpose, Henry would have gone to gloat over de Burgh, to relish his tears and groans. That he has never done."
"No, that is true. In fact, Papa was saying that the king cannot bear to listen to a report on de Burgh's condition. But why"
"I think Henry is still afraid of the man," Simon said slowly, frowning in thought rather than anger or distaste. It was always good for him to talk to Sybelle because while explaining to her he straightened out matters in his own mind. "Papa once said that when Henry was a boy, he was always a little afraid of de Burgh. He loved the old Earl of Pembroke, you can tell that when he talks of him to this day, and the Bishop of Winchester fascinated himand still doesbut it seems to me that Papa must be right. When Henry speaks of de Burgh it is almost like a boy who has escaped from a harsh tutor and cannot really believe he has escaped."
"But surely the king must have got over that feeling. It is more than a year"
"I hope you are wrong," Simon interrupted, his frown deepening. "If it is not for that reason, then the king has done what Walter believesthat is, changed the guards

 
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