But when she stood on
the level stones by the water-gate, she turned to the old man and
said: One thing I will ask of thee, Is this place one of the
Wondrous Isles? The elder shook his head. We know not the Wondrous
Isles, said he; this castle is builded on the mainland. Her face
flushed for joy at the word, and she said: One thing I will crave of
thee, to wit, that thou wilt leave my barge lying here untouched till
thy masters come back, and wilt give command that none meddle
therewith.
He would have answered, but the priest brake in, and said: This will
he do, lady, and he is the castellan, and moreover he will swear to
obey thee herein. And therewith he drew forth a cross with God
nailed thereon, and the castellan swore on it with a good will.
Then the priest drew Birdalone on, and between them they brought her
into the great hall, and set her down in a chair and propped her with
cushions. And when she was thus at rest, she began to weep somewhat,
and the castellan and the priest stood by and comforted her; for
themseemed, despite her grief, that she had brought the sun into
their house.
Pages:
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185