Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary

As Merivel listens to the music coming from the music room the night he returns, he hears a heavenly female soprano voice echoing through his ears and entering his heart. It can only be Celia, and Merivel suddenly realizes what originally attracted the King to her. Merivel decides then and there that he does not want to lose that voice by her going home. Arm in arm in the garden, he gives her his version of the message from the King as follows: The King has given no promises, but he wants her to stay at the Bidnold Manor until she learns "the changeful nature of things." He goes on that the King has appointed Merivel to be the judge of when she has attained this knowledge, and Merivel will report back to the King when this has occurred.

Merivel and...