who took part in that cruel business. And if a friend will not help
to guard a lady--well, he would be just nidring, no more or less."

Then she took up her basket, which was pretty full and no burden
for a lady, for she had picked fast and heedlessly as she spoke to
me, and so turned away.

"Nay, but surely you know that there was more than that meant," I
said lamely.

"No need to have haled my name into the matter at all," she said.

And then, seeing that my eyes went to the basket, she smiled a
little, and held it to me with both hands.

"Well, if you meant some new sort of service, you can begin by
carrying this for me. I am going to the queen's bower."

I took it without a word, and we went silently together to the door
that led to the queen's end of the hall. There she stayed for a
moment with her hand on the latch.

But she had only a question to ask me:

"Do you go with your father to the Welsh king's court, as it is
said that he will go shortly?"

"We start together in an hour's time or thereabout," I answered,
wondering.