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with giving orders for Walter's comfort, scolding the maids as if it was by their failure that his cloak had not been removed, nor a bath and dry clothing prepared for him. Walter had a bad moment wondering whether he had gone too far in his admiring looks so that the lady would offer herself to him. It would not be the first time it had happened, but to Walter, the wife of a friend, no matter how immoral herself, was sacred. However, there was no need for anxiety. To his delight, it was Marie who accompanied him to the prepared chamber. Unfortunately she did not stay. Despite a smile as provocative as her earlier glance, she only gave instructions to the elderlyand very uglymaidservant who bathed him and helped him to dress. |
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When Walter rejoined the ladiesclean, dry, shaved, and with his hair neatly combedhe found a supper laid beside the fire. He was invited most graciously to join his hostess and her sister, and he gave them his most graceful bow as he accepted with thanks. It was very clear that he was approved, and nothing could have been pleasanter than Gervase's demeanor. Walter had to remind himself sharply of her discourtesy only a few hours earlier. |
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After the meaningless compliments and stock phrases of greeting and thanks had been exchanged, Walter was prepared to satisfy the curiosity he was sure his hostesses felt concerning the wedding. However, he was wrong again. All the questions were about himselfwhether he was married and what property he held. Walter was astonished, but he felt the ladies might think it polite to flatter him by showing interest in him. |
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Also, it was his duty to keep Lady Gervase in a good humor so he could convince her to be polite at the Welsh court. Therefore, he answered their questions fully except on one subject. He did not mention his hopes of obtaining Sybelle as his wife because he had no right to do so; however, he told them the whole tale of his inheritance, forgetting until after he mentioned the war that he had not meant to speak of it. Then he braced himself for cries of horror and fearful questions about the conflict with the king in which Richard was engaged, but no anxiety appeared on Gervase's face, and Marie looked at him as if she found his face more interesting than his words. |
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"You mean that although you do not now control the |
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