CHAPTER V. THE CASTLE OF THE LEPER.
The knight had rode for great part of the day beneath the rays of a most burning sun, and horse and rider both alike fatigued, when he beheld a young and handsome squire running towards him at his greatest speed. Rent was his garment even to his waist; and on he came, with madness in his looks, tearing by handfuls his fair curling hair.
Scarce did he make out Jaufry from afar when he exclaimed:
“Fly, fly, brave knight, fly quickly from this spot, an that thou choosest not to lose thy life!”
“And wherefore so, fair friend?” asked Dovon's son.
“Fly, for the love of God, say I; nor lose thou further time.”
“Art thou, then, shorn of sense,” exclaimed the knight, “such counsel to propose, when I behold no foe?”
“Ah!” cried the squire then, “he comes; he's there; nor think I in a year to cure the fright that he hath caused me! He hath slain my lord,—a knight of price, who was conducting to his castle-home his lady-wife, a Norman count's most noble daughter. This wretch hath seized the bride; and to myself has caused such dire fear, that ev'ry limb still trembles at the shock.”