Take now this
wallet, within is good store of gold and better--a potent charm to close
all watchful eyes. Hist, Joconde, and mark me well! Ranulph o' the Axe is
a mighty drinker--to-night, drawn by fame of thy wit, he cometh with his
fellows. This money shall buy them wine, in the wine cast this powder so
shall they sleep and thou go free."
"Aye!" said Jocelyn, "and then?"
"There will meet thee a dwarf shall free thee of thy fetters, and by secret
ways set thee without the city--then, tarry not, but flee for thy life--"
"Now by the Holy Rood!" quoth Jocelyn softly, "never in all this world was
there prisoner so happy as this poor Fool! But, Hugo, an I win free by
reason of a brave and noble lady, so long as she bide in Canalise, so long
must I--"
My daughter GILLIAN interposeth:
GILL: O, father, now I understand--
Of course, this Hugo is Yolande!
MYSELF: Exactly, miss, the fact is clear;
But how on earth did she get here?
I don't want her here--
GILL: Why not?
MYSELF: Because, being here, she spoils my plot,
Which would drive any author frantic--
GILL: I think it's fine, and most romantic.
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