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Page 241
you will not discuss the Earl of Pembroke's quarrel with the king."
Since this was scarcely the attitude Sybelle had displayed up until this moment, Walter recognized another warning. He was a trifle annoyed that Sybelle should think he needed such a reminder until he realized that Sir Roland had reentered the hall and was coming toward them. He nodded, which might have been taken as acquiescence to her request, as Sybelle's quick smile might only have implied pleasure in his agreement; however, what the nod and smile had communicated was that Walter understood the need and intended to warn Sir Roland.
"I think," Walter said to the castellan before he could speak, "that Lady Sybelle has been sore afflicted by our talk of the war and too polite to complain of it." He smiled as he spoke, implying a mild jest. "She has just drawn a promise from me that we must entertain our guest in ways other than with talk of Pembroke and the king."
Sir Roland laughed aloud. His amusement was at the thought of Sybelle being too politeat least, in the sole presence of her castellan and her betrothedto say anything she thought. However, his eyes were wary even as he laughed. He was a clever man and had already put together Sir Walter's original distrust of Sir Heribert with that gentleman's almost too-great eagerness to declare fealty, and had come up with a smell of bad fish.
"I do not blame her," he said. "I fear our conversation has been somewhat lacking in new matter. Perhaps Sir Heribert will have news for us."
Walter understood that Sir Roland had taken the cue. Heribert was to be encouraged to do the talking. He said no more, and Sir Roland went on to tell him how he had arranged the quartering of Heribert's men, but Walter listened with only half an ear, nodding when his approval seemed necessary. He was really thinking with warm pleasure of the rapport that existed between Sybelle and himself.
Walter liked women in general, except the few who were deliberately vicious. Those who were silly he had always found amusing; the gentle and pious gave him a sensation of security, of rightness in the world, for gentleness and piety were the prerogatives of women, even if it made them somewhat dull; the lustful he enjoyed without much thought; but best of all he liked the clever ones who could play a rousing

 
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