looked for release presently: and, moreover, there had
grown in her mind during those three days a certain purpose;
to wit, that she would get hold of the governor of the
castle privily, and two or three others of the squires who
most regarded her, and bewail her case to them, so that she
might perchance get some relief. Forsooth, as she called to
mind this resolve, her heart beat and her cheek flushed, for
well she knew that there was peril in it, and she forecast
what might be the worst that would come thereof, while, on
the other hand, the best that might be seemed to her like a
glimpse of Paradise.

As she lay there and turned the matter over in her mind for
this many an hundred time, there came a key into the lock,
and the door opened; and thereby entered a tall woman,
dark-haired, white-skinned, somewhat young, and not
ill-favoured: Goldilind still lay there, till the new-comer
said to her in a hard voice, wherein was both threatening
and mockery: "Rise up, our Lady! the Dame Elinor saith that
it is enough, and that thou art to go forth. Nay, hold a
while; for I say unto thee that it is yet early in the day,
and that thy chamber is not yet dight for thee, so thou must
needs bestow thyself elsewhere till it be done."

Goldilind rose up, and said smiling: "Yea, Aloyse, but thou
hast not brought my raiment: and thou seest!"

The maid stood looking at her a moment somewhat evilly, and
then said: "Well, since it is but scant six o'clock, I may
do that; but I bid thee ask me not overmuch; for meseemeth