So, if I would save the ship and her cargo, I must ride for
the docks at once.
Going back to the eating-chamber, in a few words I told my wife and the
guests how the matter stood, praying the oldest man among the latter
to take my place by the bride, which he did unwillingly, muttering that
this was an unlucky marriage feast.
Then it was that Blanche rose, beseeching me earnestly and almost with
tears that I would take her with me to the docks. I laughed at her, as
did the company, but still she besought with much persistence, till I
began to believe that she must be afraid of something, though the others
cried that it was but love and fear lest I should come to harm.
In the end I made her drink a cup of wine with me, but her hand shook so
much that she spilled the cup and the rich red wine ran down her breast,
staining the whiteness of her robe, whereat some women among the company
murmured, thinking it a bad omen. At length with a kiss I tore myself
away, for I could bide no longer and the horses were waiting presently.
So I was riding for the docks as fast as the storm would suffer, with
tiles from the roofs, and when we were clear of these the torn-off limbs
of trees hurtling round me.
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