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Page 356
The next day was also fine, and Sybelle had them out on the road before the sun was up. The third day on the road was a repetition of the second, but the weather broke that evening. The rain, however, did not in the least diminish Sybelle's determination to reach Clyro the next day. Determination notwithstanding, it was clear by the afternoon that it would be impossible for the baggage wagons to get so far before dark. The reasonable thing, then, was to turn back to Hereford and Stay the night there, but Sybelle could not bring herself to do it. Nor did she wish to examine closely the reasons for her behavior. She told herself she was simply eager to be reunited with Walter and that he had urged her to come as soon as possible.
Nonetheless, she did not wish to inflict hardship on Sir John's lady. Thus, she offered to go on alone with only a few guards. But Sir John would not hear of that, so eventually the mounted party rode ahead, leaving the baggage wains with some men-at-arms to follow as quickly as they could. Sybelle soon regretted her foolishness, but not soon enough to make returning to Hereford a possible alternative. It was a miserable ride, and far longer than she had expected; it grew dark earlier than usual because of the rain, and they had to pick their way along the road very slowly for fear of wandering off it and becoming lost.
When the sky came to the place where the road forked left to Clifford, Sybelle was tempted to give in and go that way; Clifford was only about a mile farther, whereas there were still more than five miles to go to Clyro. However, she held steadily to the right fork. Walter had specifically told her not to go to Clifford. Doubtless he wanted to protect her from Marie's nasty tongue. Sybelle sniffed contemptuously at the thought. She could have turned Marie into jelly in five minutes if she had not wished to avoid shocking Walter and if the woman had been worth crushing. And anyway, Walter would be waiting in Clyro.
But Walter was not in Clyro. Despite Sir Roland's warm welcome, despite the blazing fire and dry, warm clothing, Sybelle felt chilled to the bone. Walter had not come to Clyro at all, had not even sent a messenger to warn Sir Roland to expect her. It was as if he had forgotten her existence.
As her first shock of disappointment wore off and Sir Roland and his lady exclaimed in surprise when they heard

 
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