I like it not in her, Allan."
"Nay," said Allan hotly, "thou dost wrong her. She is as soft and
gentle as a stockdove. I know her better than anyone in all the world.
She may do her father's bidding, but if she marries Sir Stephen, her
heart will break and she will die. My own sweet dear, I--" He stopped
and shook his head, for he could say nothing further.
While the others were speaking, Robin Hood had been sunk in thought.
"Methinks I have a plan might fit thy case, Allan," said he. "But tell
me first, thinkest thou, lad, that thy true love hath spirit enough to
marry thee were ye together in church, the banns published, and the
priest found, even were her father to say her nay?"
"Ay, marry would she," cried Allan eagerly.
"Then, if her father be the man that I take him to be, I will undertake
that he shall give you both his blessing as wedded man and wife, in the
place of old Sir Stephen, and upon his wedding morn. But stay, now I
bethink me, there is one thing reckoned not upon--the priest. Truly,
those of the cloth do not love me overmuch, and when it comes to doing
as I desire in such a matter, they are as like as not to prove stiff-
necked.
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