– You seem familiar to me, sir, but I do not remember…" Brigid began, turning her gaze to the guest.

– It is five years since we last saw each other, my dear miss, and you must have forgotten me. But I have not forgotten you. For years, your beautiful face has stood before my eyes, and my ears have been filled with your marvellous singing," interrupted the stranger, and gave her a deep bow. – I am still the same Philip, the older brother of your best friend Alienor.

Brigid's eyes widened in surprise: of course it was him! How could she not recognise those white curls and sky-blue eyes? Philip! He and Alienor looked so much alike, as if God had given them the same appearance for two!

"What a man he has become! No longer that clumsy young man teaching me archery, but a manly and handsome man! He's back! How glad Lady and Sir Norton will be at his return! And Alienor? She has waited for him so long, cherished and reread his letters with such tenderness!" – A happy smile lit up the girl's face, and Philip Norton almost gasped at her beauty.

– Alienor will be so glad… So happy! – Brigid exclaimed, pressing her palms to her breast.

– And are you pleased, Miss Guise? – Philip asked in an ingratiating tone.

– Of course, sir, I'm very glad you're back, too," she answered timidly.

– Well, that's fine! Why delay when two hearts are drawn to each other with such inevitable force? – Brigid's father said in a cheerful manner. His face shone with pleasure. – We'll have the wedding next week!

Brigid glanced at her father, but he looked down at her and smiled broadly, which made the girl realise that she was being married off. Being given away without asking her. She knew it would happen someday, that it was the fate of every daughter, but now that the moment had finally arrived, the girl's soul shrieked with indignation.

– Father… But how can I leave you and my mother? – Brigid whispered with pain in her heart.

But it was not the pain of future separation from her parents: her heart sobbed at the realisation that it was not William Tury who would be her husband, but Philip Norton! She had warm feelings for him, of course, but only as the brother of her best friend… She knew nothing about him! She had seen him so seldom, only a few times in her life, for he had spent all his childhood with his knight uncle, and then had disappeared for five years in Europe, fighting for Henry and the interests of England. And though she saw William as seldom as she had once seen Philip, William seemed to her the nearest and most familiar creature in the world after her dear Alienor.

– It is time for you to marry a worthy man, my daughter, and Sir Norton is such a man. He will make you happy and give you many healthy and beautiful children. – Sir Guise touched his daughter's shoulder again, as if to encourage her, but she knew that her father was telling her to shut up and silently accept his will.

And the girl was so used to obeying that she smiled falsely, nodded her head in agreement, and, as a woman should, lowered her gaze to the floor.

– Are you not pleased, my lady? – Philip frowned slightly. He had expected a completely different reaction: he had always thought that this beautiful woman had tender feelings for him and only waited for his return. The fright and rejection that involuntarily appeared on Miss Guise's face saddened him.

Hearing Philip's voice, Brigid blushed, not knowing what to reply so as not to offend or demean his dignity.

"No, sir, I am not glad! My heart is weeping, and if you have any pity and sympathy for me, you will tell my father that you do not wish to marry me after all! Please give me freedom and time! What if William changes his mind and wants to make me his wife?" – The girl thought in despair, but said otherwise aloud: