"
She made a convulsive effort to repress her sobs.
"Can years of suffering atone for my crime?"
She drew back as she continued, "I abhor, I loathe the very existence I
am forced to prolong. The cloister alone can hide my wretchedness and my
shame."
"I forgive thee: nay, shrink not from my embrace," cried the distracted
Sir William; "I blame thee not in my regret. Pure, and as free from
guilt as when first I knew thee, do I now receive thee to my arms."
Sir Osmund smiled in contempt; at the same time casting a furtive glance
towards the side entrance, where, true to his word, Roger De Cliderhow
had summoned a guard of Welsh bowmen, their master's accomplices in many
a deed of violence and rapine.
Sir Osmund heard their approach. He cautiously undrew the bolts, and,
pointing to his foe with a signal they but too well understood, the
latter was immediately seized, and with such rapidity, that almost
before Sir William was aware of their design, he found himself a
prisoner and incapable of resistance.
"Traitor, thou wilt rue this foul despite! I here proclaim thee a craven
knight and a dastard!" exclaimed Sir William.
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