So they ate together, whiles the war-horse Mars, pawing impatient hoof, oft turned his great head to view them with round and wistful eye.
"Fidelis," quoth Beltane suddenly, "thou didst name me selfish, and verily, a selfish man am I--and to-day! O Fidelis, why dost not reproach me for the evil I purposed thee to-day?"
"For that I do most truly love thee, Beltane my lord!"
"Yet wherefore did ye so yesterday, and for lesser fault?"
"For that I did love thee, so would I see thee a strong man--yet gentle: a potent lord, yet humble: a noble man as--as thou wert said to be!"
"Alas, my Fidelis, harsh have I been, proud and unforgiving--"
"Aye, my lord--thou art unforgiving--a little!"
"So now, Fidelis, would I crave forgiveness of all men." Then came the young knight nearer yet, his face radiant with sudden joy, his white hands clasped.
"Lord!" he whispered, "O Beltane, could'st indeed forgive all--all harm done thee, howsoever great or small thy mind doth hold them--could'st forgive all!"
"Aye, I could forgive them all, Fidelis--all save Helen--who hath broke this heart of mine and made my soul a thing as black as she hath whited this my hair."
Now of a sudden Beltane heard a sound--a small sound 'twixt a sob and a moan, but when he raised his heavy head--lo! Sir Fidelis was gone.