Entering, without knocking, into his father's chamber, young Norton was displeased to find that he was not in the room. But Philip did not have to wander round the castle and garden: as he opened the door to leave the chambers, he almost knocked his own father down.
With a short sigh of surprise, his father rushed to embrace his son.
– You're back… You're back! – Sir Norton whispered fervently, not letting Philip out of his loving embrace.
– I told you I would come back, father! And here I am! – Philip said in a trembling voice, full of tenderness and joy.
– Six months! Not a word! – Sir Norton sobbed, pulling away from his son. Then he put his palms round Philip's smooth-shaven face, and, as if he could not believe that it was not a dream, pressed it so tightly that the young warrior had to laughingly withdraw his father's large, warm hands from him.
– How can there be none? I sent two letters! – Philip was surprised, but then laughed ringingly. – But the Devil with them! How glad I am to see you, dear father! What a fine beard you have grown! It's time for braids! Have you not heard that the King's court nowadays imitates Henry and his short beard? You're part of this court, it's time you got rid of those cosms!
– Enough, my son, enough! Let the young spoil their beards, but we old men will remain true to the old days," said Sir Norton, smiling good-naturedly and patting his son on the shoulder. – What an outfit! It is as if you had not come back from the war, but to a wedding!
– How cleverly you've got me, Father! I am going to marry! – Philip said in a more serious tone, and a happy smile lit up his handsome face. – I have dreamed of this girl for five years, and now she has given her consent!
– She has?
– And her father, of course.
– When did you have time? Must be some Spanish passion rose?
– Only one girl could win me over. Only one rose. A rose born in my beloved Mother England.
– And the name of this beauty…
– Brigid Guise.
The happy light in Sir Norton's blue eyes faded, the corners of his lips drooped.
– Come into my chambers, my son," he began.
– What is wrong, father? – Philip interrupted, as he recognised the shadow that had suddenly darkened his father's countenance.
– Come in, come in. We can't stand here in the middle of the corridor! – Sir Norton pushed his son into his chambers, then quickly went in himself and closed the door tightly behind him.