There was wine upon the table, and he filled a cup and
brought it to me, and we drank of it together. We drank of the
same cup then, your Honor, and we will drink of it still. We twain
were wedded, and the world strove to part us. Which of you here,
in such quarrel, would not withstand the world? Lady Wyatt,
would not thy husband hold thee, while he lived, against the
world? Then speak for mine!"
"Frank, Frank!" cried Lady Wyatt. "They love each other!"
"If he withstood the King," went on the King's ward, "it was for his
honor and for mine. If he fled from Virginia, it was because I
willed it so. Had he stayed, my Lord Carnal, and had you willed to
follow me again, you must have made a yet longer journey to a
most distant bourne. That wild night when we fled, why did you
come upon us, my lord? The moon burst forth from a black cloud,
and you stood there upon the wharf above us, calling to the
footsteps behind to hasten. We would have left you there in safety,
and gone ourselves alone down that stream as black and strange as
death. Why did you spring down the steps and grapple with the
minister? And he that might have thrust you beneath the flood and
drowned you there did but fling you into the boat. We wished not
your company, my lord; we would willingly have gone without
you. I trust, my lord, you have made honest report of this matter,
and have told these gentlemen that my husband gave you, a
prisoner whom he wanted not, all fair and honorable treatment.
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