leaped from heart to heart like a swift fire; and all
this I saw too late; but seeing it, I told Sir Richard how matters
stood; and he is an honourable youth; for from that moment he sought
how he might be taken hence, and made reasons to see no more of the
maid. But his misery I could see; and she is no less miserable; for
she has a very pure and simple spirit, and has fought a hard conflict
with herself; yet will she hold to her word.

"And now, dear Paul, judge between us, for the matter lies in your
hands. She is yours, if you claim her; but her heart cannot be yours
awhile, though you may win it yet. It is true that both knights and
maidens have wedded, loving another; yet they have learned to love
each other, and have lived comfortably and happily; but whether,
knowing what I have been forced to tell you, you can be content that
things should be as before, I know not."

Then the Lady Beckwith made a pause, and beat her hands together,
watching Paul's face; Paul sate very still and pale, all the light
gone out of his eyes, with his lips pressed close together. And at the
sight of him the tears came into Lady Beckwith's eyes, and she could
not stay them. And Paul, looking darkly on her, strove to pity her,
but could not; and clasping the arms of his chair, said hoarsely, "I
cannot let her go." So they sate awhile in silence; and then Paul rose
and said, "Dear lady, you have done well to tell me this--I know deep
down in my heart what a brave and noble thing you have done: but I
cannot yet believe it--I will see the Lady Margaret and question her
of the matter." Then the lady said, "Nay, dear Paul, you will not--you
think that you would do so; but you could not speak with her face to
face of such a matter, and she could not answer you. You must think of
it alone, and to-morrow you must tell me what you decide; and
whichever way you decide it, I will help you as far as I can." And
then she said, "You will pity me a little, dear Paul, for I had rather
have had a hand cut off than have spoken with you thus." And these
simple words brought Paul a little to himself, and he rose from his
place and kissed the Lady Beckwith's hand, and said, "Dear mother, you
have done well; but my sorrow is greater than I can bear." And at that
the Lady Beckwith wept afresh; but Paul went out in a stony silence,
hardly knowing what he did.

Then it seemed to Paul as though he went down into deep waters indeed,
which passed cold and sile