"My lord, I am your sister's son but not your vassal," the youth replied with perhaps unnecessary pride. "But that is not the question," he added sadly and in a gentler tone. "You counsel me - no, you command me," and he bowed his head slightly at the word, "to submit myself unreservedly to our Holy Father the Pope, in the person of his Legate."
"I do, as you value life and lands. If your retainers had not infected you with their heresy, why should you hesitate?"
"I - the son of Roger Taillefer - a heretic! None of our race were ever that, thank Heaven. But can the Count ask why I hesitate?" Not that I fear the disgrace of a public penance, though I think they might have spared it to the greatest seigneur who speaks the "Langue d'Oc', and altogether such a submissive and obedient Roman Catholic."
Alcock, Deborah
Alcock, Deborah
Alcock, Deborah
Alcock, Deborah
Alcock, Deborah