I could not doubt of her presence, for I heard her voice singing gaily from within. My heart beat quick, and I had above half a mind not to enter. But she had seen us, and herself flung the door open wide. She lodged on the ground floor; and, in obedience to her beckoning finger, I entered a small room. Lodging was hard to be had in Dover now, and the apartment served her (as the bed, carelessly covered with a curtain, showed) for sleeping and living. I did not notice what became of Jonah, but sat down, puzzled and awkward, in a crazy chair.
"What brings you here?" I blurted out, fixing my eyes on her, as she stood opposite to me, smiling and swaying to and fro a little, with her hands on her hips.
"Even what brings you. My business," she answered. "If you ask more, the King's invitation. Does that grieve you, Simon?"
"No, madame," said I.
"A little, still a little, Simon? Be consoled! The King invited me, but he hasn't come to see me. There lies my business. Why hasn't he come to see me? I hear certain things, but my eyes, though they are counted good if not large, can't pierce the walls of the Castle yonder, and my poor feet aren't fit to pass its threshold."
"You needn't grieve for that," said I sullenly.
"Yet some things I know. As that a French lady is there. Of what appearance is she, Simon?"
"She is very pretty, so far as I've looked at her."
"Ah, and you've a discriminating glance, haven't you? Will she stay long?"