“The old woman waits outside, princess.”
“Oh, send her here at once.” (Then, when the servitor had left.) “This is the person I mentioned who knows about Cormac.”
Another moment and the little old woman in the grey shawl was ushered in. She started visibly on beholding Bladud.
“Come in, granny. I did not expect you till to-morrow.”
“I thought I was to see you alone,” said the old woman, testily, in her hard, metallic voice.
“That is true, granny, but I thought you might like to see my brother Bladud, who has just returned home safe and well.”
“No, I don’t want to see your brother. What do I care for people’s brothers? I want to see yourself, alone.”
“Let me congratulate you, at all events,” interposed the prince, kindly, “on your having recovered your hearing, grannie. This is not the first time we have met, Hafrydda, but I grieve to see that my old friend’s nerves are not so strong as they used to be. You tremble a good deal.”
“Yes, I tremble more than I like,” returned the old woman peevishly, “and, perhaps, when you come to my age, young man, and have got the palsy, you’ll tremble more than I do.”
“Nay, be not angry with me. I meant not to hurt your feelings; and since you wish to be alone with my sister, I will leave you.”