But
all this she hid in her own heart, and was debonair to all about her,
and so good to poor folk that none had a word save of blessing on her
beauty and her wisdom.
CHAPTER V. OF THE DEATH OF AUDREY, MOTHER TO BIRDALONE. SHE IS
WARNED IN A DREAM TO SEEK THE BLACK SQUIRE, AND IS MINDED TO DEPART
THE CITY OF THE FIVE CRAFTS, AND SEEK AGAIN THE CASTLE OF THE QUEST
Thus dwelt Birdalone in the Five Crafts in such rest and peace as her
heart would let her; and dear and good friends she had about her; her
mother first, whose love and desire for love of her made all things
soft and dear unto her. Gerard and the Gerardsons were next, who
were ever faithful and true unto her, and deft both of hand and of
mind, so that they wrought many things for her avail. Then came the
master, Jacobus, who held himself unwedded for her sake, and though
he no longer dwelt in the same house with her, might scarce endure to
miss the sight of her for two days running: a dear friend she deemed
him, as forsooth he was, though whiles he tormented and wearied her,
and belike had wearied her more, but for the sorrow which lay on her
own heart, whereof it came that she might not think of any man as of
one who might be a lover, and so felt safe even with so kind a friend
and so stubborn in his love as was this one.
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