Mr. Heatherstone advanced and made his obeisance, and then his
daughter was led forward, and introduced by a lady unknown to Edward.
After he had saluted her, the king said, loud enough for Edward to
hear,
"My obligations to your father are great. I trust that the daughter
will often grace our court."
Patience made no reply, but passed on; and, soon afterward, Edward
lost sight of her in the crowd.
If there ever had been any check to Edward's feelings toward Patience
--and time and absence have their effect upon the most ardent of
lovers--the sight of her so resplendent in beauty acted upon him like
magic; and he was uneasy till the ceremony was over and he was enabled
to go to his sisters.
When he entered the room, he found himself in the arms of Humphrey,
who had arrived with the messenger. After the greetings were over,
Edward said,
"Alice and I have seen Patience, and I fear I must surrender at
discretion. Mr. Heatherstone may make his own terms; I must wave all
pride rather than lose her. I thought that I had more control over
myself; but I have seen her, and feel that my future happiness depends
upon obtaining her as a wife. Let her father but give me her, and
Arnwood will be but a trifle in addition!"
"With respect to the conditions upon which you are to possess
Arnwood," said Humphrey, "I can inform you what they are.
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