So saying, she sank down upon his couch, hiding her face in the pillow.
Now came Beltane and leaned above her.
"Helen!" he whispered; and falling upon his knees, he set his arms about her. Then lifted she her tearful face and looked upon him in the moonlight; and lying thus, of a sudden reached out white arms to him: and in her eyes was love, and on her quivering lips and in all the yearning beauty of her, love called to him.
Close, close he caught her in his embrace, kissing her hard and fierce, and her long hair came down to veil them in its glory. Then, trembling, he lifted her in his arms and bore her forth of his chamber out into the hall beyond, where lights flickered against arras-hung wall. There, falling upon his knees before her, he hid his face within the folds of her habit.
"O Helen!" he groaned, "thou art--so beautiful--so beautiful that I grow afraid of thee! Wed me this night or in mercy let me begone!"
And now did the Duchess look down upon him with eyes of wonder changing to a great and tender joy, and stooping, put back his mail coif with reverent hand and laid her cheek upon that bowed and golden head.
"Beltane," she whispered, "O Beltane of mine, now do I know thee indeed for a true man and noble knight! Such love as thine honoureth us both, so beloved, this night--within the hour, shalt thou wed with me, and I joy to hear thee call me--Wife!"
Therewith she turned and left him there upon his knees.