At last Hal arrived, entirely disheveled, humbly begging my pardon-he had been ordered to accompany the king on a hunt. Even with his hose mud-died and his cap askew, Hal Percy sparked a flame inme. I sent Nell to stand watch, and together Hal andI knelt in the bower. Without a priest or any wit-ness save God above, we joined hands and pledgedourselves to each other, sealing our pledge with apassionate kiss.
Thereafter, foolishly believing there was no fur-ther need for secrecy, we were entirely open aboutbeing sweethearts. I looked forward to a fine futureas Hal‘s wife. At last I was happy.