Lady Ruthven sat composedly, on a tapestried bench, awaiting the arrival of the company.
But Lady Mar was near the door, listening impatiently to the voices beneath.

At sight of Helen, she drew back; but she smiled exultingly when she saw that all the splendour of beauty she had so lately beheld and dreaded was flown.

Her unadorned garments gave no particular attraction to the simple lines of her form; the effulgence of her complexion was gone; her cheek was pale, and the tremulous motion of her step deprived her of the elastic grace which was usually the charm of her nymph-like figure.
Triumph now sat in the eyes of the countess; and, with an air of authority, she waved Helen to take a seat beside Lady Ruthven.

But Helen, fearful of what might be her emotion when the train should enter, had just placed herself behind her aunt, when the steps of many a mailed foot sounded upon the oaken floor of the outward gallery.

The next moment the great doors of the huge screen opened, and a crowd of knights in armor flashed upon her eyes.