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Page 275
returned from Wallingford the next day. Cornwall had received them gladly, delighted with two new pairs of sympathetic ears into which to pour his rage and his frustration. He would have nothing more to do with his brother, he snarled, nothing. How could a man of honor live in such a situation, he asked. He was caught between the oath he had sworn to Henrythe blood bond that made the oath even more sacredand the dishonor he felt at what Henry intended to do. He had not specifically been a party to the truce, but he could not bear to see his brother dishonor himself. Richard was so shamed, so furious, that if he came into Henry's presence again, he would put his hands around the king's neck and strangle him.
Even Simon and Adam blanched, although they knew it was temper rather than intention they heard. Everyone would have been more than happy to exchange Henry for Richard, but not with his brother's blood in his hands and conscience. There were many in the kingdom who prayed daily for the king's death from any well-known causeexcept fratricide.
All in all, the visit had a good effect. Richard talked himself out, regained his temper, and asked his guests to spend the night. They agreed readily, even more eager to hear what Cornwall had to say when he was calm than when he was angry. A messenger rode off to. Oxford to reassure the family that Simon and Adam were guests and would return to dinner the next day. Over breakfast, his temper spent, Richard discussed the matter more coherently, but, unfortunately, there was nothing new he could say. He had screamed at his brother and had pleaded on his knees, and both approaches had been futile. There was nothing else he could do to assist Pembroke actively. All he could do was to refuse absolutely to take part in any future action against himno matter what Pembroke did.
''I am shamed," he said, his dark eyes glowing with resentment, "for Richard Marshal is a good man, and

 
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