"But wait a minute. Do you know the man's name before he entered religion?"
"It was De Born, my lord, as I understood. But I have heard him also called Born."
Prosper thought again, shook his head, made nothing of it, and so kept it for his need.
Next day before dinner he came into the hall leading a black-haired boy by the hand. He went up to the Countess's chair between the ranked assembly.
"My lady Countess," says he, "suffer my page Roy to kiss your hand. He loves me, and I him, if for no better reason than that he does me so much credit. He alone in my father's house has dared it, I may tell you. Take him in then for my sake, madam. The master's master should be the servant's master."
The Countess smiled.
"He is certainly welcome on this showing," she said, "as well as on others. That must be a good servant for whom his master forsakes not only his friends but his supper." Then turning to Isoult, "Well, Roy," she asked, "and art thou whole again?"
"Yes, please my lady," said Isoult.
"Then thou shalt kiss my hand for thy master's sake!" returned the
Countess, after looking keenly at the girl.
Isoult knelt and kissed the white hand. The Countess beckoned to one of her pages.