"I cannot love you, but in so far as I may be faithful to another I
give you my whole life," he said very gently.
As he spoke the last words, the curtain of the inner apartments was
softly raised, and Beatrix stood there; for she had thought that the
Queen was alone. But she heard not the beginning of the speech, and she
grew quite cold, and could not speak nor go away.
Eleanor's hands left her face and fell together upon Gilbert's right.
"I have not mine to give," she answered in a low voice. "It is yours
already--and I would that you were not English, that I might be your
sovereign and make you great among men--or that I were England's
Queen--and that may come to pass, and you shall see what I will do for
love of you--I would marry that boy of the Plantagenets, if it could
serve you!"
"Madam," said Gilbert, "think of your own present safety--the King is
very angry--"
"Did I think of your safety when I sent you out to lead us? Now if you
are here, am I not safe? Gilbert--"
She let her voice caress his name, and her lips lingered with it, and
she laid her hands upon his shoulders. As he knelt beside her--she bent
to his face.
"Best and bravest living man"--it was a whisper now--"love of my life--
heart of my heart--this last time--this only once--and then good-by."
She kissed him on the forehead, and leapt from her seat in horror, for
there was another voice in the room, with a hurt cry.
"Oh, Gilbert! Gilbert!"
Beatrix was reeling on her feet, and caught the curtain, lest she fall,
and her face of agony was still turned toward the two, as they stood
together.
Pages:
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348