the archers shot at me from the drawbridge, so that I had to take thought
for myself. By swimming under the water I escaped, behind a jutting
rock, to a secret stair, whence I pushed my way into a chamber of the
castle. Therein was a damsel, busy with the linen, who, of her goodwill,
clad me in this wretched apparel above my own garb, and so, for that
time, saved my life, and I passed forth unknown; but yet hath caused me
to lose what I prize more highly than life--that is, the gracious
countenance of this gentle lady, thy friend and my master's daughter,
whom it is my honour and duty in all things to please and serve. Tell
me, then, do I merit your wrath as a jester and a mock-maker, or does
this gentle lady well to be angry with her servitor?"

The Maiden crossed herself, and murmured a prayer for the soul of him who
had died in the moat. But Elliot instantly flew to me, and, dragging off
my woman's cap, tore with her fair hands at the white linen smock about
my neck and waist, so that it was rent asunder and fell on the floor,
leaving me clad in my wet doublet and hose.

At this sight, without word spoken, she broke out into the merriest
laughter that ever I heard, and the most welcome; and the Maid too,
catching the malady of her mirth, laughed low and graciously, so that to
see and hear her was marvel.

"Begone!" cried Elliot--"begone, and shift thy dripping gear"; and, as I
fled swiftly to my chamber, I heard her laughter yet, though there came a
sob into it; but for the Maid, she had already stinted in her mirth ere I
left the room.

In this strange and unseemly fashion did I first come into the knowledge
of this admirable Maid--whom, alas! I was to see more often sad than