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Page 346
news with enthusiasm. This was somewhat tempered by Walter's reminder that Richard would be ill pleased by any attack that might cause a renewal of the conflictparticularly while he was out of the country. However, since it was too late to do anything that night and it was clear that Walter was having difficulty in staying awake, further argument was suspended until the following morning.
Owing to his fatigue, Walter slept late, but Bassett rose at first light to pass the news he had received to Richard Siward. There was nothing secret about it, and Bassett discussed the matter with his brother-by-marriage at considerable length while they broke their fast.
Neither paid any attention to Sir Palance de Tours, a guest of Lady Pembroke's sister. They had become accustomed over the last few days to seeing him hanging about. He was pleasant enough, decently modest, not intruding but ready to join in any sport or game of chance when he was invited. However, he was unimportant to them, and neither noticed the haste with which he disappeared when Sir Walter's arrival was mentioned.
By the time Walter joined Bassett and Siward, Heribert had managed a hurried conference with Marie and had left Clifford with the intention of returning to Craswall Priory. If she would send him news of Walter's movements, he told her, he would assist her in any way he could to obtain the revenge she desired. Marie assured him most sincerely that she would send any information she obtained, but by now her interest was as much in keeping Heribert in attendance as it was in injuring Walter.
Marie found it very pleasant to have a knight at her beck and call. His deferential manner pleased her mightily, since her late husband had not encouraged his friends to regard her with much courtesy. She did not for a moment consider Heribert for a husband, despite his charm and good looks, because he simply had not sufficient rank or wealth nor any prospect of gaining them. However, his compliments and attention were pleasant, and as the weather grew milder, it was very convenient to have an escort who would take her anywhere she wished to go.
It was a satisfactory arrangement all around. As Marie's guests, Heribert and his men were housed and fed at the Earl of Pembroke's expense. However, that was so small an addi-

 
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