"Madam, what did you mean?" His voice was steady and rather cold.
"Oh—I have quite forgotten!" She almost laughed again, shaking her hooded head.
"If your Grace had need of me, I might understand. Beatrix is not here. I looked at each of your ladies to-day, through all their ranks—she was not among them. I asked where she was, but you would not answer and were angry—"
"I? Angry? You are dreaming!"
"I thought you were angry, because you changed colour and would not speak again—"
"You were wrong. Only a fool can be angry with ignorance."
"Why do you call me ignorant? These are all riddles."
"And you are not good at guessing. Come! To show you that I was not angry, I will have you walk with me down through the village. It is growing late."
"Your Grace is alone?"
"Since you followed me, you know it. Come."