"Kraken," said the fair Orberosia, "will you allow your servant to
employ artifice to save your reputation and your goods? Do not despise a
woman's help. You need it, for all men are imbeciles."

"Woman," asked Kraken, "what are your plans?"

And the fair Orberosia informed her husband that the monks were going
through the villages teaching the inhabitants the best way of combating
the dragon; that, according to their instructions, the beast would be
overcome by a virgin, and that if a maid placed her girdle around the
dragon's neck she could lead him as easily as if he were a little dog.

"How do you know that the monks teach this?" asked Kraken.

"My friend," answered Orberosia, "do not interrupt a serious subject
by frivolous questions. . . . 'If, then,' added the monks, 'there be in
Alca a pure virgin, let her arise!' Now, Kraken, I have determined to
answer their call. I will go and find the holy Mael and I will say to
him: 'I am the virgin destined by Heaven to overthrow the dragon.'"

At these words Kraken exclaimed: "How can you be that pure virgin? And
why do you want to overthrow me, Orberosia? Have you lost your reason?
Be sure that I will not allow myself to be conquered by you!"

"Can you not try and understand me before you get angry?" sighed the
fair Orberosia with deep though gentle contempt.

And she explained the cunning designs that she had formed.