"They may forget—they may forsake, and he likewise, but I never," she thought.
If only she might live a little longer space to serve and suffer for them and for him still; of fate she asked nothing higher.
That night there was much money in the bag. The players pressed a share upon her; but she refused.
"Have I begged from you?" she said. "I have earned nothing."
It was with exceeding difficulty that they ended in persuading her even to share their simple supper.
She took only bread and water, and sat and watched them curiously.
The players were in high spirits; their chief ordered a stoup of bright wine, and made merry over it with gayer songs and louder laughter, and more frequent jests than even were his wont.
The men and women of the town came in and out with merry interchange of words. The youths of the little bourg chattered light amorous nonsense; the young girls smiled and chattered in answer; whilst the actors bantered them and made them a hundred love prophecies.
Now and then a dog trotted in to salute the players' poodles; now and then the quaint face of a pig looked between the legs of its master.
The door stood open; the balmy air blew in; beyond, the stars shone in a cloudless sky.