H. C. Bailey

“ Bran said, "dream that life is good. There is none in the world but you and me, and you lie among the flowers and there is no need we know, nor time, but I see you, I am beside you, and you—you are happy. Dream on, cousin." ”

“ And then she laughed. "Yes, the man is a man."
Bran looked at her long. "Yea, yea, and the woman is a woman," he said. "And God have mercy, the fool is but a fool. Fare you well, cousin."
"Oh—wise man," she said again.
But Bran slunk out of the room. Her hand fell on his shoulder on the stair. "Whither now?"
"Out into the dark, cousin."
"The dark and the fool for me," she said.
It was night and all the gates of Blois were shut. Down the steep lanes to the river-side he led her, and watching the houses above the water stealthily cast off a wherry. ”

“ Then he paid her rich compliments and swore Blois should give her good cheer and left her.
"Oh, cautious one," says she, pulling at Bran's ear.
"This lord hath a venturous eye, cousin."
"Nay, let a man be a man."
Count Thibaut did his best. He gave her hunting and hawking and jousting and mumming, and in between and after and whenever an hour was empty a dance and a feast. And at each and all Count Thibaut showed a knightly prowess, and always he was her devoted servant.
So on a night, "What does this lord mean, cousin?" said Bran.
"Faith, friend, he means to please me," she laughed. ”