And it howled and whistled sadly in the chimney.
And the sorrowing maid saw in her mind’s eye Anne-Mie hanging in the Gallows-field and her poor body pecked by the crows, and she thought of the stain on her brave brother’s honour, and of the fifteen poor virgins outraged by the Miserable.
But she did not weep.
For in her breast was a dumb pain, harsh anguish, and a bitter thirst for vengeance.
And she asked very humbly of Our Lady if it were a good thing to let the Miserable any longer go killing the maidens of the land of Flanders.
And at cock-crow she rose from her bed, and her eyes were bright, and proud was her countenance, and her head held high, and she said: “I will go to Halewyn.”
And throwing herself on her knees she prayed to the very strong God to give her courage and strength for the revenge of Anne-Mie, Toon the Silent, and the fifteen virgins.
XXV. Of the sword of the Lion.
At sun-up she went to Sir Roel, who was still in bed, on account of the cold.