As to the
Ring I left for thee, with a safe Messenger, concerning whom I say
Nothing, for thou wilt con her no Thanks for the doing of aught to
pleasure me, I restored it not because it was thine, for thy mother
gave it me, but because, if for Lack of my Mare I should fall in
some Battle of those that are to follow, then would the Ring pass to
a Hand whose Heart knew nought of her who gave it me. I am what thou
knowest not, yet thine old Play-fellow Richard.--When thou hearest
of me in the Wars, as perchance thou mayest, then curse me not, but
sigh an thou wilt, and say, he also would in his Blindness do the
Thing that lay at his Door. God be with thee, mistress Dorothy. Beat
not thy Dog for bringing thee this.
'RICHARD HEYWOOD.'
Lord Herbert gave the letter to his wife, and paced up and down the
room while she read. Dorothy stood silent, with glowing face and
downcast eyes. When lady Margaret had finished it she handed it to
her, and turned to her husband with the words,--
'What sayest thou, Ned? Is it not a brave epistle?'
'There is matter for thought therein,' he answered.
Pages:
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273