Moreover it was calm enough.
"Malcolm," she said presently, "do you and Bertric want to go with the prince and see if there is fighting ?" She looked in my face quickly and half turned away, and I wondered what she was thinking.

For a moment I had a foolish thought that mayhap she expected us to be full of longing for the weapon play, and that to please her I might say somewhat which would tend that way.

But I bethought myself and answered her frankly: "I must speak for myself," I said; "but I think it will be the same with Bertric.

I have no mind to meddle with the affairs of another man until I am sure that he needs my help.

I cannot say that I do not like a fair fight when there is good reason for it; but there is no wisdom or courage in going out of the way to seek for one." So I laughed, and she laughed also, as relieved.
"I feared lest I held you back from the game you love," she said.
"If we were alone--" I said, and there stopped, for I had said too much.