Then a duenna said severely, "Mesdames!" and they were all abashed at once as though a modesty string had been pulled.

This same duenna took Gerard, and marched before him in solemn silence.

The young man's heart sank, and he had half a mind to turn and run out of the place.
"What must princes be," he thought, "when their courtiers are so freezing?
Doubtless they take their breeding from him they serve." These reflections were interrupted by the duenna suddenly introducing him into a room where three ladies sat working, and a pretty little girl tuning a lute.

The ladies were richly but not showily dressed, and the duenna went up to the one who was hemming a kerchief, and said a few words in a low tone.

This lady then turned towards Gerard with a smile, and beckoned him to come near her.