Айвенго / Ivanhoe

“Aymer, the Prior Aymer? Brian de Bois-Guilbert?” muttered Cedric; “They are both Normans… But Norman or Saxon, the hospitality of Rotherwood is unbreakable, they are welcome. Go, Hundebert, take six servants, and show the guests to their rooms. Give them fire, and water to wash, and wine and ale; and ask the cooks to add what they can to our evening meal.

The servants went out.

* * *

Cedric rose to receive his guests.

There was a lot of food on the table: different kinds of meat and fish together with huge loaves of bread and desserts made of fruits and honey.

When everybody was ready to eat, a servant announced the arrival of the Lady Rowena. A side-door opened, and Rowena, followed by four female servants, entered the apartment. Cedric conducted her with ceremony to the second high seat. All stood up to receive her.

The Prior whispered to the Templar: “Do not look at the Lady Rowena like that, the Saxon sees you.” But Brian de Bois-Guilbert did only what he wanted to do.

Rowena was tall, yet not too much. Her clear blue eyes beneath graceful brown eyebrows seemed capable to command as well as to beg. It was clear that she was accustomed to be respected by everyone. When Rowena noticed the Knight’s eyes fixed on her, she drew the veil around her face – to show that she did not like his behaviour. Cedric noticed it. “Sir Templar,” said he, “the cheeks of our Saxon maidens have seen too little of the sun to bear the fixed glance of a crusader.

“If I have offended,” replied Sir Brian, “I beg the Lady Rowena’s pardon.”

“The Lady Rowena,” said the Prior, “has punished us all. Let me hope she will be less cruel to the guests who will come to the tournament.”

“Our going there,” said Cedric, “is uncertain”.

“Sir Knight,” said Rowena with dignity, and without unveiling herself, “can I ask you to tell us the latest news from Palestine?”

“I have little to say, lady,” answered Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, “except for confirmed news of truce with Saladin.[12 - truce with Saladin – перемирие с Саладином, заключенное Ричардом перед его отплытием из Святой Земли.