a considerable sum, and not to be lightly thrown away. I went to
look for a mistress for my house, a companion for my idle hours, a
rosy, humble, docile lass, with no aspirations beyond cleanliness
and good temper, who was to order my household and make me a
home. I was to be her head and her law, but also her sword and
shield. That is what I went to look for."

"And you found - me!" she said, and broke into strange laughter.

I bowed.

"In God's name, why did you not go further?"

I suppose she saw in my face why I went no further, for into her
own the color came flaming.

"I am not what I seem!" she cried out. "I was not in that company
of choice!"

I bowed again. "You have no need to tell me that, madam," I said.
"I have eyes. I desire to know why you were there at all, and why
you married me."

She turned from me, until I could see nothing but the coiled wealth
of her hair and the bit of white neck between it and the ruff. We
stood so in silence, she with bent head and fingers clasping and
unclasping, I leaning against the wall and staring at her, for what
seemed a long time. At least I had time to grow impatient, when
she faced me again, and all my irritation vanished in a gasp of
admiration.