"Loysik!" exclaimed one of the young pages who entered the apartment in response to the call of their companion. "Brother Loysik here?"
"What! This monk!" cried Brunhild stupefied. "Is he Loysik, the abbot of the monastery of Charolles?"
"Yes, glorious Queen. He is the venerable abbot."
"How come you to know him?"
"He was pointed out to me at the last slave market. The worthy abbot was buying slaves to set them free. I saw him again this morning crossing one of the courtyards of the palace in the company of Samuel and two young girls."
For a moment Brunhild remained thoughtful, and then ordering the other pages out of the chamber with a wafture of her hand she addressed the one who had first come in.
"Go to Pog and tell him to get himself and his assistants ready in the cave. Let him light his fires and wait for further orders."
The page grew pale and bowed, but before leaving the chamber he cast a look of pity upon the old man. Left alone with Loysik, the Queen paced the room for a minute in silence and with agitated steps, and then turning abruptly upon the hermit laborer said to him in a short, sharp voice:
"So you are Loysik?"
"I am Loysik, the abbot and superior of the monastery of Charolles."