"Nay, lady," said he, "that were worst of all.

What man would be so caitiff and thrall as to fail you at your need?
I have turned my brother against me, and now, alas! I appear to have given you offence also with my clumsy tongue.

But, indeed, lady, I am torn both ways, and can scarce grasp in my mind what it is that has befallen." "Nor can I marvel at that," said she, with a little tinkling laugh.

"You came in as the knight does in the jongleur's romances, between dragon and damsel, with small time for the asking of questions.

Come," she went on, springing to her feet, and smoothing down her rumpled frock, "let us walk through the shaw together, and we may come upon Bertrand with the horses.