And so he came to the end of the garden quite safely, and caught sight at last of Kerglas Castle. But the river of which he had been told still lay between it and him, and he knew that this river could only be forded in one place. Happily the colt was familiar with this ford, and prepared to enter at the right spot.
Then Peronnik looked around him in quest of the lady who was to be his guide to the castle; and soon perceived her seated on a rock, clad in black satin, and her countenance as yellow as a Moor’s.
The idiot pulled off his hat, and asked if it was her pleasure to cross the river.
“I expected thee for that very purpose,” replied the lady; “draw near, that I may seat myself behind thee.”
Peronnik approached, took her on his horse’s crupper, and began to cross the ford. He had almost reached the middle of it, when the lady said to him,
“Knowest thou who I am, poor innocent?”
“I beg your pardon,” replied Peronnik, “but from your dress I clearly see that you are a noble and powerful lady.”
“As to noble, I ought to be,” replied the lady, “for I can trace back my origin to the first sin; and powerful I certainly am, for all nations give way before me.”
“Then what is your name, may it please you, madam?” asked Peronnik.
“I am called the Plague,” replied the yellow woman.