And now was Birdalone
come so near, that she saw the water-gate of the castle, and folk
coming out thereby on to the landing-place; and she saw presently,
that a very tall man with grizzled hair stood foremost of them, and
he waved his hand to her, and spake something, but the wind bore the
words away from her; yet she seemed to know that this folk would do
her to wit that they would have none of her; and her heart died
within her, so faint and hungry as she was.
Howsoever the ferry sped on its way swiftly, and in a minute or two
had stayed itself at the landing-stair, whereabout were gathered a
score of men, some armed some unarmed, and they seemed for the more
part to be grey-headed and past middle-age.
Birdalone stood up in her craft, and the aforesaid tall grey man, who
was unarmed, but clad in knightly raiment, stood on the stair and
spake unto her, and said: Lady, this is an house where women enter
never since first the roof was done thereon, which forsooth was but a
year ago. We will pray thee therefore to turn thy boat's head away,
and seek some other lodging by the water, either eastward or
westward.
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