His face turned very pale under his tan, and he clasped his hands
together nervously.
"No," he said quickly, "no, I pray you! Not money--thanks are enough!"
The knight looked at him in surprise at first, and then incredulously,
supposing that it was only a first refusal, for the sake of ceremony.
"Indeed," he answered, "it is the Duchess's command that I should
present you with this gift in most grateful acknowledgment of your
service."
"And I beg you, by your knighthood, to thank her Grace with all
possible respect for what I cannot receive." Gilbert's voice grew hard.
"She is not my sovereign, sir, that I should look to her for my support
in this war. It pleased God that I should save a lady's life, but I
shall not take a lady's gold. I mean no discourtesy to her Grace, nor
to you, sir."
Seeing that he was in earnest, the Gascon's expression changed, and a
bright smile came into his sallow face, for he had found a man after
his own heart. He threw the heavy bag toward the soldier, and it fell
chinking to the floor before the man could reach it; and turning to
Gilbert again, he held out his hand with less ceremony and more
cordiality than he had hitherto shown.
"With a little accent," he said, "you might pass for a Gascon."
Gilbert smiled as he shook hands, for it was clear that the knight
meant to bestow upon him the highest compliment he could put into
words.
"Sir," answered the Englishman, "I see that we think alike in this
matter.
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