Quoth she:
"Oh, sure there is no man so vile or so unworthy in all Christendom as this
vile Lord of Biename!"
"Unless," said Yolande, frowning also, "unless it be my Lord Gui of Ells!"
"True, my Yolanda! Now, as thou dost hate Sir Gui so hate I Sir Agramore,
therefore pray we sweet maid, petition we the good Saints our valiant
singer shall serve my hated Sir Agramore as he did thy hated Sir Gui--may
he be bruised, may he be battered, may--"
"Oho, 'tis done, my sweeting! A-hee--a-hi, 'tis done!" croaked a voice, and
starting about, the Duchess beheld a bent and hag-like creature,
With long, sharp nose that showed beneath her hood,
A nose that curved as every witch's should,
And glittering eye, before whose baleful light,
The fair Yolande shrank back in sudden fright.
"Nay, my Yolande," cried the Duchess, "hast forgot old Mopsa, my foster-
mother, that, being a wise-woman, fools decry as witch, and my ten grave
and learned guardians have banished therefor? Hast forgot my loved and
faithful Mopsa that is truly the dearest, gentlest, wisest witch that e'er
witched rogue or fool? But O Mopsa, wise mother--would'st thou might
plague and bewitch in very truth yon base caitiff knight, Sir Agramore of
Biename!"
"'Tis done, loved daughter, 'tis done!" chuckled the Witch.
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