“There’s none with the Queen!” quoth Dame Isabel, as sharp as if she should have snapped her head off.
Dame Joan looked up in some astonishment.
“Dear heart!” said she, “I thought I heard voices in her chamber.”
“There was one with her,” answereth Meliora, “when I passed the door some minutes gone.”
“Maybe the visitor is gone,” said I. “As I came in but now, I met one coming forth.”
“Who were it, marry?” quoth Dame Joan.
“It was none of the household,” said I. “A tall, personable man, wrapped in a great cloak, wherewith he hid his face; but whether it were from me or from the November even, that will I not say.”
“There hath been none such here,” saith Dame Elizabeth.
“Not in this chamber,” saith Meliora.
“Meliora Servelady!” Dame Isabel made answer, “who gave thee leave to join converse with thy betters?” (Note 10).