[The Tavern Knight by Rafael Sabatini]@TWC D-Link book
The Tavern Knight

CHAPTER XXII
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The messenger might be dispatched forthwith, and the Lady Jane should be at Harwich, two days later.
By the time they had determined upon this, the inmates of the hostelry were astir, and from the innyard came to them the noise of bustle and preparation for the day.
Presently they left the chamber where they had sat so long, and at the yard pump the Tavern Knight performed a rude morning toilet.

Thereafter, on a simple fare of herrings and brown ale, they broke their fast; and ere that meal was done, Kenneth, pale and worn, with dark circles round his eyes, entered the common room, and sat moodily apart.

But when later Hogan went to see to the dispatching of his messenger, Crispin rose and approached the youth.
Kenneth watched him furtively, without pausing in his meal.

He had spent a very miserable night pondering over the future, which looked gloomy enough, and debating whether--forgetting and ignoring what had passed--he should return to the genteel poverty of his Scottish home, or accept the proffered service of this man who announced himself--and whom he now believed--to be his father.

He had thought, but he was far from having chosen between Scotland and France, when Crispin now greeted him, not without constraint.
"Jocelyn," he said, speaking slowly, almost humbly.


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