– And this man is the happiest of mortals," Philip grinned, but noticing the gardener's attention to Alienor, he said rudely, "What are you looking at, dog? Are you caressing my sister, Miss Norton, with your lustful eyes? I should have your ugly head chopped off for such insolence! – He frowned menacingly and gripped the hilt of his sword.
– For Christ's sake! Forgive me, sir! Forgive me, miss! For Christ's sake! For the sake of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God! God knows I've been blinded by the beauty of Miss Norton's sunshine! – The frightened gardener fell on his knees and crossed himself repeatedly.
– Go away, you dog! If you ever look at my sister again, I'll have you quartered! – Philip spat out, and his face showed such anger that Alienor frowned.
– I don't recognise you, my brother… To be so angry over a miserable gardener! Dance with me! – She grasped her brother's hands again, wishing to win back his good spirits by dancing, and he, with a deep sigh, joined her again. – Happy Brigid! How happy she is! Think of it! She's been in love with this man for years!
– In love? Did she tell you that? – Young Norton's heart thumped as loudly as a horse's iron horseshoes against a stone bridge.
– Who else? – Alienor laughed gleefully. – Soon she will have what she desperately desires, and I am happy that she is happy! And even if her fiancé is not worthy of her, even if he is a fool and a buffoon…
– How nice to receive such praise from my own sister! – Philip laughed.
– They are not for your ears, you fool! They are for the ears of Brigid's betrothed!
– He is the one you are talking to now.
Alienor stopped abruptly, pushed her brother away from her and gazed intently into his face.
– Are you Brigid's fiancé? – She asked uncertainly, but she did not need an answer: Philip's imperious smile spoke for itself. – But Father got the letter! It is not you… No, it is not you who should be her husband! It is not you she loves!
– If she doesn't love me now, she'll love me later, when I give her a beautiful, healthy baby," Philip said smugly. – We'll have many children.
– Philip, she loves William Tury! She'll die when she finds out that he was the first to ask for her hand in marriage, but they gave it to you and not to him! – Alienor threw herself indignantly. – She will be miserable! All her life!