"
"Just so."
"Perfect: but there is only one small hindrance to the plan; and that
is--that I am married already."
Gilbert stopped short, and swore a great oath.
"But," he said, after a while, "does that matter so much after all?"
"Very little, indeed, as all the world knows, if one has money enough, and
power enough."
"And you have both," they say.
"But, still more unhappily, my money is my wife's."
"Peste!"
"And more unhappily still, I am so foolishly fond of her, that I would
sooner have her in her smock, than any other woman with half England for a
dower."
"Then I suppose I must look out for another champion."
"Or save yourself the trouble, by being--just as a change--an honest man."
"I believe you are right," said Gilbert, laughing; "but it is hard to
begin so late in life."
"And after one has had so little practice."
"Aha! Thou art the same merry dog of a Hereward. Come along. But could we
not poison this Dolfin, after all?"
To which proposal Hereward gave no encouragement.
"And now, my tres beausire, may I ask you, in return, what business brings
you to Flanders?"
"Have I not told you?"
"No, but I have guessed. Gilbert of Ghent is on his way to William of
Normandy."
"Well. Why not?"
"Why not?--certainly. And has brought out of Scotland a few gallant
gentlemen, and stout housecarles of my acquaintance.
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