He spake in a voice wherein was both cold constrainedness, and bitterness, and stern determination--yet under them all something else-- I think it was the sorely bruised yet living soul of that deep unutterable tenderness which had been ever his for the mother of his love, but could be the same never more. Man is oft cold and bitter and stern, when an hour before he hath dug a grave in his own heart, and hath therein laid all his hopes and his affections. And they that look on from afar behold the sheet of ice, but they see not the grave beneath it. They only see him cold and silent: and they reckon he cares for nought, and feels nothing. "Dame Cicely, you have been with the Queen?" "Sir, I have so." "Take heed she hath all things at her pleasure, of such as lie in your power. Let my physician be sent for if need arise, as well as her own; and if she would see any holy father, let him be fetched incontinent [immediately]. See to it, I charge you, that she be served with all honour and reverence, as you would have our favour." He turned as if to depart. Then all suddenly the ice went out of his voice, and the tears came in. "How hath she taken it?" saith he. "Sir," said I, "full hardly as yet, and is sore troubled touching my Lord of March, fearing some ill shall be done him. Moreover, my Lady biddeth me tell her who these be. Is it your pleasure that I answer the same?" "Ay, answer her," saith he sorrowfully, "for it shall do no mischief now. As for my Lord of March, no worser fate awaits him than he hath given better men." He strade forth after that kingly fashion which was so new in him, and yet sat so seemly upon him, and I went back to the Queen's chamber. "Cicely, is that my son?" she cried. "In good sooth, Dame," said I. "What said he to thee?" I told her the King had bidden me answer all her desire; that if she required physician she should be tended of his chirurgeon beside her own, and she should speak with any priest she would. I had thought it should apay [gratify] her to know the same; but my words had the contrariwise effect, for she looked more frightened than afore. "Nought more said he?" "Dame," said I, "the Lord King bade me to serve you with all honour and reverence. And he said, for my Lord of March--" "Fare forth!" [go on] she cried, though I scarce knew that I paused. "He answered, that no worser should befall him than he had caused to better men than he." "Mary, Mother!" I thought I had scarce ever heard wofuller wail than she made then. She sank down in the bed, clutching the coverlet with her hands, and casting it over her, as she buried her face in the pillows. I went nigh, and drew the coverlet full setely [properly, neatly] over her.