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the rest I was mad with love of her； also both then and as the days
went by； more and more did she seem to be travelling on this same road
of Love。 If not； indeed she acted well。
Within a month we were wed on a certain October day in the church of
St。 Margaret's at Westminster。 Once it was agreed all desired to push
on this marriage； and not least Blanche herself。 Sir Robert Aleys said
that he wished to be gone from London to his estates in Sussex； having
had enough of the Court and its ways； desiring there to live quietly
till the end； I； being so much in love； was on fire for my bride； and
Blanche herself vowed that she was eager to become my wife； saying
that our courtship； which began on Hastings Hill； had lasted long
enough。 For the rest； there was nothing to cause delay。 I cancelled
Sir Robert's debt to me and signed a deed in favour of his daughter
and her offspring； whereof I gave a copy to his lawyer and there was
nought else to be done except to prepare my house for her which； with
money at command； was easy。
No great business was made of this marriage； since neither his kin nor
Sir Robert himself wished to noise it about that his only child； the
last of his House； was taking a merchant for her husband to save her
and him from wreck。 Nor did I； the merchant； wish to provoke talk
amongst those of my own station； especially as it was known that I had
advanced moneys to these fine folks of the Court。 So it came about
that few were asked to the ceremony that was fixed for an early hour；
and of these not many came； because on that day； although it was but
October； a great gale with storms of rain began to blow； the greatest
indeed that I had known in my life。
Thus it chanced that we were wed in an almost empty church while the
fierce wind； thundering against the windows； overcame the feeble voice
of the old priest； so that he looked like one acting in a show without
words。 The darkness caused by the thick rain was so deep； also； that
scarce could I see my bride's lovely face or find the finger upon
which I must set the ring。
At length it was done and we went down the aisle to find our horses
whereon we must ride to my house in Cheapside； where there was to be a
feast for my dependents and such of my few friends as cared to come；
among whom were not numbered any grand folk from Westminster。 As we
drew near the church door I noted among those who were present those
two gaudy ladies between whom Deleroy had sat at that meal after the
business of the loan was settled。 Moreover； I heard one of them say：
〃What will Deleroy do when he comes back to find his darling gone？〃
and the other answer with a high laugh：
〃Seek another； doubtless； or borrow more money from the merchant；
and〃 Here I lost their talk in the rush of the wind through the
opened door。
In the porch was old Sir Robert Aleys。
〃Mother of God！〃 he shouted； 〃may the rest of the lives of you two be
smoother than your nuptials。 No Cheapside feast for me； I'm for home
in such fiend's weather。 Farewell； son Hubert； and all joy to you。
Farewell； Blanche。 Learn to be obedient as a wife and keep your eyes
for your husband's face； that is my counsel to you。 Till we meet again
at Christmastide in Sussex； whither I ride to…morrow； farewell to both
of you。〃
Farewell； it was indeed； for never did either of us look on him again。
Wrapped close in our cloaks we battled through the storm and at
length； somewhat breathless； reached my house in the Cheap where the
garlands of autumn flowers and greenery that I had caused to be
wreathed from posts before the door were all torn away by the gale。
Here I welcomed my wife as best I could； kissing her as she crossed
the threshold and saying certain sweet words that I had prepared； to
which she smiled an answer。 Then the women took her to her chamber to
make herself ready and afterwards came the feast； which was sumptuous
of its sort； though the evil weather kept some of the guests away。
Scarcely had it begun when Kari； who of late had been sad…faced and
brooding； and who did not eat with us； entered and whispered to me
that my Master of Lading from the docks prayed to see me at once on a
matter which would brook no delay。 Making excuse to Blanche and the
company； I went out to see him in the shop and found the man much
disturbed。 It seemed that a certain vessel of mine that I had
rechristened /Blanche/ in honour of my wife； which lay in the stream
ready to sail； was in great danger because of the tempest。 Indeed； she
was dragging at her anchor； and it was feared that unless more anchors
could be let down she would come ashore and be wrecked against the
jetty…heads or otherwise。 The reason why this had not been done； was
that only the master and one sailor were on board the vessel； the rest
were feasting ashore in honour of my marriage； and refused to row out
to her； saying that the boat would be swamped in the gale。
Now this ship； although not very large； was the best and staunchest
that I owned； being almost new； moreover； the cargo on board of her；
laden for the Mediterranean； was of great value； so great indeed that
its loss would have been very grievous to me。 Therefore； it was plain
that I must see to the matter without delay； since from my servant's
account there was no hope that these rebellious sailors would listen
to any lesser man than myself。 So； if I would save the ship and her
cargo； I must ride for the docks at once。
Going back to the eating…chamber； in a few words I told my wife and
the guests how the matter stood； praying the oldest man among the
latter to take my place by the bride； which he did unwillingly；
muttering that this was an unlucky marriage feast。
Then it was that Blanche rose； beseeching me earnestly and almost with
tears that I would take her with me to the docks。 I laughed at her； as
did the company； but still she besought with much persistence； till I
began to believe that she must be afraid of something； though the
others cried that it was but love and fear lest I should come to harm。
In the end I made her drink a cup of wine with me； but her hand shook
so much that she spilled the cup and the rich red wine ran down her
breast； staining the whiteness of her robe； whereat some women among
the company murmured； thinking it a bad omen。 At length with a kiss I
tore myself away； for I could bide no longer and the horses were
waiting presently。 So I was riding for the docks as fast as the storm
would suffer； with tiles from the roofs； and when we were clear of
these the torn…off limbs of trees hurtling round me。 Kari； I should
say； would have accompanied me； but I took a serving…man； bidding Kari
bide where he was in the house in case he might be of service。
At last we came safely to the docks where I found all as my cargo…
master had described。 The ship /Blanche/ was in great peril and
dragging every minute towards a pierhead which； if she struck； would
stave her in and make an end of her。 The men； too； were still feasting
in the inn with their wharfside trollops； and some of them half drunk。
I spoke to them； showing them their shame； and saying that if they
would not come； I and my man would take a boat and get aboard alone
and this upon my wedding day。 Then they hung their heads and came。
We won to the ship safely though with much toil and danger； and there
found the master almost crazed with fear and doubt of the issue； and
the man with him injured by a falling block。 Indeed； this poor captain
clung to the rail； watching the cable as it dragged the anchor and
fearing every moment lest it should part。
The rest is soon told。 We got out two more anchors and did other
things such as sailors know； to help in such a case。 When all was as
safe as it could be made； I and my man and four sailors started for
the quay； telling the master that I would return upon the morrow。 The
wind and current aiding us； we landed safe and sound and at once I
rode back to Cheapside。
Now； though it is short to tell； all this had taken a long while； also
the way was far to ride in such a storm。 Thus it came about that it
was nigh to ten o'clock at night when； thanking God； I dismounted at
the gate of my house and bade the servant take the horses to the
stable。 As I drew near the door； it opened； which astonished me and；
as the light within showed； there stood Kari。 What astonished me still
more； he had the great sword； Wave…Flame； in his hand； though not
drawn； which sword he must have fetched from where it was kept with
the French knight's armour and the shield that bore three arrows as a
cognizance。
Laying his finger on his lips he shut the door softly； then said in a
low voice：
〃Master； there is a man up yonder with the lady。〃
〃What man？〃 I asked。
〃That same lord； Master； who came here with her once before to buy
jewels and borrow gold。 Hearken。 The feast being finished the guests
went away at fall of night； but the wife…lady withdrew herself into
the chamber that is called sun…room （the solar）； that up the stairs；
which looks out on the street。 About one hour gone there came a knock
at the door。 I who was watching； opened； thinking it was you returned；
and there