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nal abrupt question had been an attempt to surprise Sybelle into an immediate affirmation of their relationshipWalter was content. It was not only Sybelle's manner and, indeed, what she said that gave him confidence. But it intrigued Walter that he felt so much at ease talking to her in as much as the subject was unusual. A man did not ordinarily discuss marriage with a girl. Parents arranged marriages, and boys and girls did as they were told. Or a man like Walter might ask a girl's father for her, but it was her place meekly to accept. Nor was it quite proper to question the results of marriage. Being made in heavenin the priests' wordsall marriages were assumed to be happy and fruitful. Thus the subject might have bred awkwardness between them, but Walter did not feed awkward. |
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"What your father spoke of," he continued, "was his long joy in his wedded life. That is what I seek, Sybelle." |
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"I, too," Sybelle murmured, staring up at him. |
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"We share the desire, let us also share the joy," he urged. |
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Sybelle lowered her eyes and her head. Walter could see she had clasped her hands together because they had begun to tremble. He took the clasped hands in his, and she did not pull them away, but she whispered, "I am afraid." |
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"Of me?" Walter asked incredulously. "But you of all women have nothing to fear from any man. You know your menfolk will rise to your defense, and I have been told the lands will remain in your hands. There is nothing to fear, and least from me. I love you." |
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Her voice was so low that Walter had to lean close to hear her. He was bewildered but felt no irritation as he did when women were artfully coy or he believed they were trying to wrap a simple thing in a veil of emotion to seem mysterious. There was nothing coquettish in Sybelle's manner. He accepted that there was a real problem, even if she had not stated it clearly. He did not understand what was troubling her, but all he felt was a surge of protectiveness. He dropped her hands and put his one available arm around her shoulders. It was a gesture of comfort rather than an embrace, and Sybelle leaned against him almost as if she were tired out by some struggle. |
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"I do not understand," Walter said gently, "but if you try to tell me, I will listen." |
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