“Well, it’s yon oriel, on the inner side of— Eh, but I marvel if I do ill to tell you!”
“Tell me noting at all dat you count ill,” was the pious answer of Ivo, who had got to know all he needed except one item. “You can tarry a little longer? or you are very busy? Sir Godfrey is away, is it not?”
“Nay, he’s at home, but he’ll be hence next week. He’s to tilt at the tournament at Leicester.”
“Ah! dat will be grand sight, all de knights and de ladies. But I am sure—sure—dere shall not be one so fair as you, sweet maid. Look you, I pin de jewel at your neck. It is wort von hundred pound, I do ensure you.”
“Eh, to think of it!” cried enchanted Kate.
“And I would not part wid it but to my friend, and a maid so fair and delightsome. See you, how it shine! It shine better as de sun when it do catch him. You sleep in de prisoner’s chamber?—yes?”
“Nay, I’m but a sub-chambermaid, look you—not even an upper. Mistress Perrote, she sleeps in the pallet whenas any doth; but methinks her Ladyship lieth alone at this present. Howbeit, none never seeth her save Mistress Perrote and Mistress Amphillis, and my Lady and Sir Godfrey, of course, when they have need. I’ve ne’er beheld her myself, only standing behind the casement, as she oft loveth to do. My Lady hath a key to her chamber door, and Mistress Perrote the like; and none save these never entereth.”
Ivo drank in all the information which Kate imparted, while he only seemed to be carelessly trimming a switch which he had pulled from a willow close at hand.
“They be careful of her, it should seem,” he said.
“You may say that. They’re mortal feared of any man so much as seeing her. Well, I reckon I should go now. I’m sure I’m right full indebted to you, Master Packman, for this jewel: only I don’t feel as if I have paid you for it.”