She was a tall, graceful woman, ten years younger than Roger, with anabundance of fair hair, and large blue eyes that went discreetlyhalf-veiled by absurdly long lashes most of the time, but flashed abright and steely challenge when she opened them fully. Her smile waslikewise discreet and almost constant, concealing rather thanrevealing whatever went on in her mind; and though her welcome to herreturning lord left nothing to be desired, but lavished on him everypossible tribute of ceremony and affection from the moment his horseentered at the gate, Cadfael could not but wonder whether she wasnot, at the same time, taking stock of every man he brought in withhim, and every article of gear or harness or weaponry in theirequipment, as one taking jealous inventory of his goods and reservesto make sure nothing was lacking.

She had her little son by the hand, a boy of about seven years old,and the child had the same fair colouring, the same contained andalmost supercilious smile, and was as spruce and fine as his mother.

The lady received Alard with a sweeping glance that deprecated histatterdemalion appearance and doubted his morality, but neverthelesswas willing to accept and make use of his abilities. The clerk whokept the manor roll and the accounts was efficient enough, but had noLatin, and could not write a good court hand. Alard was whisked awayto a small table set in the angle of the great hearth, and kept hardat work copying certain charters and letters, and preparing them forpresentation.

“This suit of his is against the abbey of Shrewsbury,”said Alard, freed of his labours after supper in hall. “Irecall you said that girl of yours had married a merchant in thattown. Shrewsbury is a Benedictine house, like mine of Evesham.”His, he called it still, after so many years of abandoning it; or hisagain, after time had brushed away whatever division there had everbeen. “You must know it, if you come from there.”