"And what did I give you, Isoult?" he whispered.
"'Twas your honour to keep, my lord," said the girl.
He had been looking at her long before she made an end, but not before
she had gathered strength from her theme. When he did look he saw that
her eyes were large and dark; honesty and clear courage burned
steadily there; the candles reflected in them showed no flickering.
She had her hands crossed over her bosom as if to hold a treasure
close: her treasures were her ring and her faithful heart. He knew now
that he could not gain her for this turn, wife or no wife; in this
great mood of hers she would have killed herself sooner than let him
touch her; and when she had ended her say he knew that she had spoken
the truth, a truth which put him to shame. Like a spoilt boy rather
than a rogue he began to plead, nevertheless. He went on his knees,
unbound her two hands and held them, trying to win his way by
protestations of love and desire. The words, emptied of all fact by
this time (for the boy was honest enough), rang hollow. She looked
down at him sadly, but very gently, denying him against all her love.
The fool went on, set on his own way. At last she said-"Lord, such love as thou hast for me Galors hath also. And shall I let
my looks undo me with thee, and thee with me? I will follow thee as a
servant, and never leave thee without it be thy will. I beseech of
thee deface not thine own image which I carry here. Now let me go."
She touched herself upon the breast. This was how she drove the evil
spirit out of him. He got up from his knees and thanked her gruffly.
His words came curt and sharp, with the old order in the tone of them;
but she knew that he was really ordering himself. She held out her
hand, rather shyly--for, the battle won, the conquered had resumed
command--he took and kissed it. She turned to go. The evil spirit
within him lifted up a bruised head.
"By God!" cried he, "you shall lie in the bed and I at the door."
And so it was, and so remained, while High March held the pair of
them. By which it will appear that the evil spirit was disposed in
pious uses.