“No,� said I, and I marveled to find myself assuming the direction as if I had been on the deck of my own ship, “that you cannot. It is no sight for your eyes now. I was coming to the castle to tell you and to send the servants to fetch—him. Meanwhile, do you go into the hall and summon your women and—�
“I will do what you say, Master Hampdon,� she whispered, very small, very forlorn, very despairing. “My father, oh, my good, kind father!�
She turned, and I still supporting her, we mounted the steps of the terrace. Suddenly she stopped, freed herself, and faced me.
“Lord Luftdon and the Duke of Arcester,� she explained, “they are staying at the castle; they must be notified.�
“Madam,� said I, “they already know it.�
“And why then have they left the duty of telling me to you? Where are they? Summon them at once.�
“They are gone,� I blurted out, all my rage at the duke reviving on the instant.
“Gone!�
“Having won everything from Sir Geoffrey they have left him alone in his death,� I retorted bitterly.
“Impossible!�