before. For her part she did not cease praying to God, journeying and
fasting; for love, heretofore unknown to her, caused her such exceeding
disquiet as not to leave her an hour's repose. The well-born Bastard was
no better off; but, as he had already resolved in his heart to love
her and try to wed her, and had thought not only of his love but of
the honour that it would bring him if he succeeded in his design, he
reflected that he must devise a means of making his love known to her
and, above all, of winning the governess to his side. This last he did
by protesting to her the wretchedness of her poor mistress, who was
being robbed of all consolation. At this the old woman, with many tears,
thanked him for the honourable affection that he bore her mistress, and
they took counsel together how he might speak with her. They planned
that Rolandine should often feign to suffer from headache, to which
noise is exceedingly distressful; so that, when her companions went into
the Queen's apartment, she and the Bastard might remain alone, and in
this way hold converse together.

The Bastard was overjoyed at this, and, guiding himself wholly by the
governess's advice, had speech with his sweetheart whensoever he would.
However, this contentment lasted no great while, for the Queen, who had
but little love for Rolandine, inquired what she did so constantly
in her room. Some one replied that it was on account of sickness, but
another, who possessed too good a memory for the absent, declared that
the pleasure she took in speaking with the Bastard must needs cause her
headache to pass away.

The Queen, who deemed the venial sins of others to be mortal ones in
Rolandine, sent for her and forbade her ever to speak to the Bastard
except it were in the royal chamber or hall. The maiden gave no sign,
but replied--