"I care not what they say. He is an arrant coward!"
"Oh, my lady!"
"He is a coward, I tell you! Afraid to meet a woman's eyes! Conducting me to his royal master as though I were some kitchen wench! Go you to him and ask him why he has neglected our presence and treated us so coldly."
"Shall I request him to attend upon you?"
"No. Command him! Tell him it is the Princess Isolde who speaks!"
The maid was reluctant to deliver this message, and walked slowly along the deck. But finally she paused beside the wheel and said:
"A message, my lord, from the Princess Isolde."
"Isolde!" Tristan started at the name and almost released the wheel. Then recovering himself quickly he asked; "What is my lady pleased to say?"
"She commands you to wait upon her."
Tristan paid no heed to the wording of the message, but bade the maid excuse him in all courtesy to her mistress, saying that he could best serve her at that moment by steering the vessel safely between the dangerous rocks which lay off the coast of Cornwall.