oy,
stepping forward with a plumed cap in his hand and a short hunting knife
at his leather girdle.

The tired woman leaned heavily on his arm, and it was he that led her
gently and carefully along the great hall between the moving
tapestries. Before a curtained door he paused.

"I can go no farther, madam, but if I may ever serve you, which is my
true hope, call for me. You will see me on the instant," he said softly,
and Alys led her behind the curtain.

Upon a dais sat a very beautiful young woman with deep eyes like brown
stars and two great braids of hair like the inner side of chestnuts when
they fall apart. She was all in shot-gold silk and on her dark hair lay
a twisted golden coronet with rubies studded in it. A big ruby hung on a
golden chain around her warm white neck. Below her lay a great silver
bath full to the brim of steaming water, and as the two entered, she
rose, took a carved ivory box from an old serving woman beside her, and
sprinkled a handful of what looked to be white sea sand from it into the
bath, which bubbled and clouded and turned milky like an opal.

"Quickly, quickly, Alys!" she cried, "give her to me!"

And as the woman tottered and drew back from the steamy clouds, she of
the coronet hastened toward her, took her in her young powerful arms as
if she had been an infant, and lifted her over the silver edge. Now the
warmth restored her a little and she resisted feebly and protested.

"But I am dressed--I am not ready for a bath--who are you that expect me
here and masquerade so strangely? Let me see----"

For she perceived that she was being held so as to prevent her looking
into the bath.

"Ah, madam, be guided, be guided! The Countess would not have you look!"
cried Alys, but she turned in the strong arms that held her and peered
into the milky waves, that smelt of roses, and her heart turned in her,
for the bath had no bottom at all, and below the waves were the rocks of
the sea itself, white and ribbed, stretching out endlessly! Great masts
of ships were there and huge fishes oaring their way, and as the water
touched her she did not feel it warm, but cold and salt. She struggled,
but it reached her lips and she felt the Countess thrust her down, down.

"Push her, push her, Alys!" cried this cruel Countess, "press down her
feet!" and she sank, gasping.

The water drew through her nostrils and the air was full of deep,
tolling bells and at last a steady hum, as of bees. She k