We retreated together to the corridor, and there, with his help, I removed my jangling headgear, which I left him to restore to my chamber.
Whilst he went upon that errand I returned once more on mine, and this time I gained the foot of the stairs without mishap, and stood in the hall.

Ramiro's back was towards me.

On my right stood the tall buffet from which the boy had fetched him wine that evening; this I marked out as the cover to which I must fly in case of need.
A second I stood hesitating, still considering my course; then I went softly forward, my feet making no sound in the rushes of the floor.

I had covered half the distance, and, growing bolder, I was advancing more swiftly and with less caution, when suddenly my knee came in contact with a three-legged stool that had been carelessly left where none would have suspected it.

The blow may have hurt afterwards, indeed, I was conscious of a soreness at the knee; but at the moment I had no thought or care for physical pain.