“Secondly, by my Lady’s leave, that she shall not be compelled to eat any thing contrary to our law.”
“I have no desire to compel her. But what will she eat? I must know that I can give her something.”
“Any kind of vegetables, bread, milk, and eggs.”
“Lenten fare. Very well. I swear it.”
“Lastly, that my Lady will appoint her a place in her own apartments, or in those of the damsel her daughter, and that she may never stir out of that tower while she remains in the Castle.”
“Poor young prisoner! Good. If thou art so anxious to consign thy child to hard durance, I will swear to keep her in it.”
“May my Lady’s servant ask where she will be?”
The Countess laughed merrily. “This priceless treasure of thine! She might be a king’s daughter. I will put her in my daughter’s ante-chamber, just behind thee.”
The pedlar walked into the ante-chamber, and inspected it carefully, to the great amusement of the ladies.
“It is enough,” he said, returning. “Lady, my child is not a king’s daughter, but she is the dearest treasure of her old father’s heart.”