door opened, and there was Atra bearing dishes and platters, and
behind her Viridis with the like gear, and beakers and a flagon to
boot, and both they were smiling and merry.

Birdalone's heart leapt up to meet them, and in especial was she
gladdened by the coming of Viridis, who had seemed to be the kindest
of them all.

Viridis spake: Now is come the meat for the dear sister, and it is
time, for surely thou art famished, and it is now long past high
noon. Do off her irons, Atra. Said Atra: Maybe it were well to let
the fetters abide on her ankles, lest the mistress should come; but
for the wrists, reach out thine hands, wayfarer. So did Birdalone,
and Atra laid her things on the ground, and unlocked the hand-
shackles, and did them off: and meanwhile Viridis spread forth the
banquet, partly on the floor, and partly on that ill-omened coffer.
Then she went up to Birdalone and kissed her, and said: Now shalt
thou sit in our lady's throne, and we shall serve thee, and thou
shalt deem thee a great one.

Nought else would they have, and Birdalone laid her nakedness on the
purple cushions, and then they fell all three to the feast. The
victual was both plenteous and dainty, of venison and fowl, and cream
and fruits and sweetmeats, and good wine they had withal: never had
Birdalone feasted in like manner, and the heart came back unto her,
and her cheeks grew rosy and her eyes glittered. But she said: How
if your lady were to come upon us here, and we so merry? Said Atra:
Out of the chair must thou when thou hearest the key in the lock, and
then is all well, and she would have nought against us; for she
herself bade us, and me in special, to keep thee company here, and