straight up to the lady, or maybe we shall lose all.

So they went their ways and came into the pleasance, and trod the
sweet greensward betwixt the garland flowers and the beauteous trees;
which now indeed, though Birdalone saw them all clear and over-clear,
were become nought to her. Those three also spake gently to her, and
now and then asked her somewhat, as if to show her that she was one
of themselves; but she spake not, or answered at random, and to say
sooth scarce heard their words: forsooth she was now become heart-
sick, and was half dead for fear; and her nakedness, which would have
troubled her little across the water, was now grown a shame and a
terror unto her, and every deal of her body quivered with the anguish
thereof.



CHAPTER III. BIRDALONE IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE WITCH-WIFE'S SISTER



So came they at last to the very house, and whereas it stood high on
the bent, a great stair or perron of stone went up to it, and was of
much majesty. They went through the porch, which was pillared and
lovely, and into a great hall most nobly builded, and at the other
end thereof, on a golden throne raised upon a dais, sat a big woman
clad in red scarlet. The three damsels led Birdalone to some four
paces of the great lady, and then stood away from her, and left her
standing there alone, the scarlet-clad woman before her; on the right
and the left the tall pillars going up gleaming toward the roof, and
about her feet the dark polished pavement, with the wallowing of