quite so much coldness, not being a stranger by any means. So I
would even try to find the way to a better understanding, and I
thought that maybe the sight of me had brought back some of the
terror of last night.

"Now, I hope that the rough doings of the feast have not been
troublous to you, Lady Elfrida," I said, trying with as good a
grace as I could not to see her cold looks.

I saw that she did indeed shrink a little from them as I spoke,
even in the passing thought.

But she answered:

"Such things are best forgotten as soon as may be. I do not wish to
hear more of them."

"Nevertheless," I answered, "there are some who will not forget
them, and I fear that you must needs be ready to hear of your part
in them pretty often."

"Ay," she said somewhat bitterly, "I suppose that I am the talk of
the whole place now."

"If so, there would be many who would be glad to be spoken of as
you must needs be. There is nought but praise for you."

Then she turned on me, and the trouble was plain enough in a
moment.