He came forward again and helped hastily to strip off my harness, and when that was done he fetched a great silver basin and a ewer of embossed gold from which he poured me fragrant rose-water that I might wash.
Macerated sweet herbs he found me, lupin meal and glasswort, the better that I might cleanse myself; and when, at last, I was refreshed by my ablutions, he poured me a goblet of a full-bodied golden wine that seemed to infuse fresh life into my veins.

And all the time he spoke of the prowess I had shown, and lamented that all these years he should have had me at his Court and never guessed my worth.
At length I turned to resume my clothes.

And since it must excite comment and perhaps arouse suspicion were I to appear in any but my jester's garish livery, I once more assumed my foliated cape, my cap and bells.
"Wear it yet for a little while," he said, "and thus complete the service you have done me.

Presently you may doff it for all time, and resume your true estate.

Biancomonte, as I promised you, shall be yours again.