"What am I to say, madam?" said the trembling attendant to the
Queen, "He will slay us all."
"Nay, fear not, madam," said De Vaux. "His Majesty hath spared
the life of the Scottish knight, who was the chief offender, and
bestowed him upon the Moorish physician. He will not be severe
upon a lady, though faulty."
"Devise some cunning tale, wench," said Berengaria. "My husband
hath too little time to make inquiry into the truth."
"Tell the tale as it really happened," said Edith, "lest I tell
it for thee."
"With humble permission of her Majesty," said De Vaux, "I would
say Lady Edith adviseth well; for although King Richard is
pleased to believe what it pleases your Grace to tell him, yet I
doubt his having the same deference for the Lady Calista, and in
this especial matter."
"The Lord of Gilsland is right," said the Lady Calista, much
agitated at the thoughts of the investigation which was to take
place; "and besides, if I had presence of mind enough to forge a
plausible story, beshrew me if I think I should have the courage
to tell it.
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