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saying he had been forced to defy his overlord because he would not turn rebel. Thus, he would gain vassalage. |
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Later, when Sir Heribert joined Sir Walter and Sybelle, he was suitably dressed, neither too finely nor too simply for a castellan meeting his new overlord in a private situation; his manner was now irreproachable. Despite the fact that he obviously wanted to talk about Pembroke's rebellion, he gracefully acceded to Sybelle's stricture against that subject. Instead, he gave them the news they asked for from the north Wales border, although he disclaimed wide knowledge of the situation there with due, but not overgreat, modesty. Moreover, without actually speaking ill of Walter's brother, he deplored the exactions he had been forced to make, admitting that the lands he managed were in bad condition. |
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After a time, Walter began to feel uncomfortable. He liked Sir Heribert less and less, and this disturbed him because it seemed totally unreasonable. Walter was not averse to trusting his instincts with regard to most men, but he knew himself to have been prejudiced against this one from the beginning. It was unfair, he knew, to dislike Sir Heribert because he had loathed his brother and because the man's face was so clean and fine. |
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Fortunately, Sybelle did not permit the situation to continue for long. Soon after the evening meal had been served, she chose a pause after Sir Heribert had answered a question and Walter was searching his mind for another to ask that had no offensive connotations. |
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"My lord," she said, "it is not my place to tell you what to do, but I see by your looks that you are not at ease. You know you have not been well. I think you have pain. Will you not go now to bed? And Sir Heribert must also be tired after his long ride. In the morning we will all be fresh." She smiled sweetly, apologetically. "And in the morning, I will betake myself to my woman's duties so that you may speak to each other of what is first in your hearts." |
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No one made any protest against this scheme. In fact, Walter and Sir Heribert rose almost simultaneously, each murmuring vague agreement. Lady Ann beckoned the maid who was attending Walter and went herself with Sir Heribert to be sure that anything lacking in the chamber assigned to him had been provided. Sybelle and Sir Roland sat together a little while longer, talking softly, first of estate matters and |
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