"Is it your will that I shall tell you this, Your Majesty?" she asked.
"Ay, that it is. I would not that my lords and ladies should miss such a story. Its matter must be, I am sure, strange to them."
"There is little to tell, Your Majesty; besides it was very easy."
"You mean that your pursuers were such fools?" said the king with a laugh. "Ay, I can well believe it. But to your story. And mark you I have become so accustomed to listen to lies that I can detect one from afar."
I saw anger gleam from Constance's eyes as he said this.
"Even although I tried to save my sister, I have never lied concerning it," she cried.
"Nay?" said the king smiling. "Truly your conversation becomes more and more interesting. Truth is so rare. Pray listen carefully my lords and ladies."
"When my sister came to my father's house, having done this thing, I e'en clothed myself in her attire, and then having shewed myself to her pursuers I escaped."
"And they followed you?"
"Ay, they followed me."