As weeks, however, and even months, ran on, and no one appeared to claim her hand, she began to indulge the hope that the year of probation would expire without molestation, and insensibly, and almost before she was aware of it, Sir Jocelyn had become complete master of her heart.

In these interviews, he told her all that occurred to him at court--acquainted her of his hopes of aggrandisement--and induced her to listen to his expectations of a brilliant future, to be shared by them together.
The severe shock Aveline had sustained in the death of her father had gradually worn away, and, if not free from occasional depression, she was still enabled to take a more cheerful view of things.

Never had she seen Sir Jocelyn so full of ardour as on the day after the banquet, when he came to communicate the intelligence of the jousts, and that he was selected to essay his skill against that of Buckingham.

The news, however, did not produce upon her the effect he expected.

Not only she could not share his delight, but she was seized with anticipations of coming ill, in connection with this event, for which she could not account.