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outcome and so great a chance that ill will befall. Will you not speak to Papa before you decide finally?" |
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"I will certainly speak to your father if you wish me to do so, but I feel he will agree with me that this is the best thing to do." |
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During the final bow of the dance, Marie de les Maures had caught sight of Walter and Sybelle. She could not see Sybelle's face and did not recognize her, but she guessed from the glimpse she had of Walter's expression that this was not a casual conversation. As she moved away from her partner, Marie saw what seemed to be an attempt on Walter's part to kiss the girl beside whom he stood and the turn of her head that frustrated his purpose. Whether this was a new flirtation or the beginning of a courtship, Marie decided she had better find out just what was going on. |
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Knowing that Walter could not dance, Marie had not sought his company at the end of the meal. There were so many fewer women than men at Builth that Marie had been certain Lord Geoffrey's daughter would also find a partner. It hardly seemed worthwhile to give up the pleasure of dancing to keep Walter company. |
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Now, however, she thanked her partner hastily, over her shoulder, as she excused herself and made her way toward the couple. She arrived in time to hear Sybelle say, "I do not like it. I confess that," and several other sentences, all of which made it certain that she was Geoffrey's daughter and might imply that she was pleading with Walter to free her from the prospective contract. And Walter's reply was scarcely that of a passionate lover nor even of a man very determined to make the contract. |
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It seemed to Marie to be a good time for her to step in and show that she was not indifferent to Walter. Whether or not a man desires a woman, the knowledge that she does not desire him rankles. Marie thought Walter a dreadful fool to be moved by a girl's plea to release her when he wanted her dowry, but that was exactly the kind of fool who probably would also prefer a woman who "loved" him and who could be convinced to give up a larger dowry to obtain such a wife. |
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Marie arrived beside Walter and Sybelle just as she said, "Thank you," and smiled at him. Sybelle had infinite trust in her father's caution and good sense. Possibly Geoffrey would |
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