Chapter 61

YOU ARE THOROUGHLY¹ MISPLACED, child, Anne scolded Emilie later, in her dressing² room, to stick your nose where you do. For such a pretty one, it always seems to end up where it is most unwelcome.

Emilie brushed her lady's long brown hair in front of the looking glass. Anne seemed noticeably out of sorts. In the past, Emilie had always been able to soften³ her with a few well-placed assurances and affable cheer. Emilie's freethinking had always been a source of discussion between them and, though her lady hid it, a bond.

But not so now. Not since the word that Anne's husband was soon back from the Crusade.

I am no child, madame, Emilie said back.

Yet you act like one sometimes. You urge me to look the other way for this fool who admits to killing⁴ the chatelain of a duke. Who seeks refuge here.

He does not come to hide from justice, my lady, but because he feels among friends who understand what justice is.

And whatis this friendship worth to you, Emilie? This friendship with a common scut who always finds his way back here when he is injured. Is it worth the loss of our laws and custom?

The knight⁵ was killed in a fair duel⁶, madame. The man's beloved wife was abducted⁷ by him.

Whatproof is there? Who pledges for this man? The baker⁸? The smith?

Who pledges for Baldwin, madame? Armed thugs? His cruelty and greed need no witness.

Anne met Emilie's gaze sharply in the mirror. Alord needs no pledge, child. There was an awkward silence between them, then Anne seemed to soften. Look, Emilie, you know that Baldwin is no friend to this court. But do not make me choose between your heart and what we know as the law. A lord manages his own vassals⁹ as he sees fit.

Men have always shown greed, Anne continued. They spread your legs and plant their seed, then pick their nose on the pillow and fart. Your common fool will prove no different. Anne turned and seemed to sense that she had hurt Emilie. She held the brush and clasped Emilie's hand. You must know, it would be my joy to shame Baldwin in my husband's absence. But your price is too high. Don't ask me to choose betweencads , high- or lowborn.

Showing justice on this, my lady, is how you will choose.

Anne's eyes hardened. Don't flaunt¹⁰ your fancy concepts at me, Emilie. You have never had to govern. You are notsubject to a man. You are still a guest at our court. Perhaps it is time we sent you back?

Back... Emilie was startled. Fear shot through her. Anne had never threatened her before.

This is an education, Emilie, not your life. Your life iswritten. You cannot change it, no matter how strong your passions.

My heart is not the issue, madame. He isjust. I assure you.

You do not know just, Anne snapped. You know only a dream. You are blind, child... and stubborn. So far you have not found a husband here, despite the best efforts of some of our bravest knights¹¹.

They are trumped-up oxen, and smell like them too. Their exploits mean nothing to me. Less than nothing!

And yet this lowbred pup does. What makes you think you can expect more from him? You must stop this dalliance.Now.

Emilie stepped back, knowing she had taken it too far. She had offended Anne. Gradually Anne seemed to soften. She reached for Emilie's hand. Yet, she went on, you've never lacked the courage to stand up to me.

Because I have always trusted you, my lady. Because you have always taught me to do what's right.

You trust too much, I fear. Anne got up.

I have given him my promise, madame. Emilie bowed her head. Keep him here. I will not go further in the heart. If I did not press this to you, you would not be the wiser. Please, let him stay.

Anne gazed at Emilie, searching her eyes. She reached a tender hand to Emilie's face. What has life done to you, my poor child, to have so hardened you against your own kind?

I am not hardened, Emilie replied, kneeling and placing her head upon Anne's arm. I only see that there is a world beyond.

Get up. Anne raised her gently. Your fool can stay. At least until Baldwin inquires of him. I hope, in Norbert's absence, that we will find him a boon¹².

He has learned well, my lady, Emilie promised, cheered.

It is what he learns from you that troubles me. This other world you speak of, it may seem real. It may stir your curiosity. And your heart. But hear me, Emilie...It will never be your home.

A tremor¹³ ran through Emilie. She rubbed her cheek against her mistress's hand. I know, my lady.

1 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

2 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

3 soften   

v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和

参考例句：

• Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
• This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。

4 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

5 knight   

n.骑士，武士；爵士

参考例句：

• He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
• A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

6 duel   

n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争

参考例句：

• The two teams are locked in a duel for first place.两个队为争夺第一名打得难解难分。
• Duroy was forced to challenge his disparager to duel.杜洛瓦不得不向诋毁他的人提出决斗。

7 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。

8 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

9 vassals   

n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属

参考例句：

• He was indeed at this time having the Central Office cleared of all but his vassals. 的确，他这时正在对中央事务所进行全面清洗（他的亲信除外）。 来自辞典例句
• The lowly vassals suffering all humiliates in both physical and mental aspects. 地位低下的奴仆，他们在身体上和精神上受尽屈辱。 来自互联网

10 flaunt   

vt.夸耀，夸饰

参考例句：

• His behavior was an outrageous flaunt.他的行为是一种无耻的炫耀。
• Why would you flaunt that on a public forum?为什么你们会在公共论坛大肆炫耀？

11 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

12 boon   

n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠

参考例句：

• A car is a real boon when you live in the country.在郊外居住，有辆汽车确实极为方便。
• These machines have proved a real boon to disabled people.事实证明这些机器让残疾人受益匪浅。

13 tremor   

n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震

参考例句：

• There was a slight tremor in his voice.他的声音有点颤抖。
• A slight earth tremor was felt in California.加利福尼亚发生了轻微的地震。