In this she was assisted by observing that Bedford’s attention had been attracted towards his brother, who was looking wan and weary, scarcely tasting what was set before him; and, after fitfully trying to converse with Marguerite of Burgundy, at last had taken advantage of an endless harangue from all the Virtues, and had dropped asleep.  The Lady Anne was seen making a sign to her sister not to disturb him; and Bedford murmured, with a sigh, ‘There is, for once, a discreet woman.’  Then, as if recalled to a sense of what was passing, he turned on Esclairmonde his full earnest look, saying, ’You will teach the Queen how he should be cared for.  You will help me.’

‘Sir,’ said Esclairmonde, feeling it most difficult not to falter, ’this is a great grace, but it cannot be.’

‘Cannot!’ said Bedford, slowly.  ‘You have taken thought?’

’Sir, it is not the part of a betrothed spouse to take thought.  My vows were renewed of my own free will and it were sacrilege to try to recall them for the first real temptation.’

She spoke steadily, but the effort ached through her whole frame, especially when the last word illumined John Plantagenet’s face with strange sweet light, quenched as his lip trembled, his nostril quivered, his eye even moistened, as he said, ’It is enough, lady; I will no more vex one who is vexed enough already; and you will so far trust me as to regard me as your protector, if you should be in need?’

‘Indeed I will,’ said Esclairmonde, hardly restraining her tears.

‘That is well,’ said Bedford.  And he neither looked at her nor spoke to her again, till, as he led her away in the procession from the hall, he held her hand fast, and murmured:  ’There then it rests, sweet lady unless, having taken counsel with your own heart, you should change your decree, and consult some holy priest.  If so, make but a sign of the hand, and I am yours; for verily you are the only maiden I could ever have loved.’

She was still in utter confusion, in the chamber where the ladies were cloaking for their return, when her hands were grasped on either side by the two Burgundian princesses.

’Sweet runaway, we have caught you at last!  Here, into Anne’s chamber.  See you we must!  How is it with you?  Like you the limping Scot better than Boemond?’ laughed the Dauphiness, her company dignity laid aside for school-girl chatter.

‘If you cannot hold out,’ said Anne, ’the Scot seems a gentle youth; and, at least, you are quit of Boemond.’

‘Yes,’ said Marguerite, ’his last prank was too strong for the Duke:  quartering a dozen men-at-arms on a sulky Cambrai weaver till he paid him 2000 crowns.  Besides, it would be well to get the Scottish king for an ally.  Do you know what we two are here for, Clairette?  We are both to be betrothed:  one to the handsome captive with the gold locks; the other to your hawk-nosed neighbour, who seemed to have not a word to say.’