aid Hugh, "and deserted at her death. Well, she
had better luck than many, since she was not left to die alone. Her
dress and these candles show it."

"Ay," answered Dick, "but fear took the watchers at last and they
are fled. Well, we will fill their place, and, if they do not return
to-morrow, give her honourable burial in her own courtyard. Here be
fine lodgings for us, master, so let us bide in them until the rightful
owners cast us out. Come, David, and help me raise that drawbridge."

Fine lodgings these proved to be indeed, since, as they found, no house
in Avignon was better furnished with all things needful. But, and this
will show how dreadful were the times, during these days that they made
this their home they never so much as learned the name of that poor lady
arrayed in the bride's dress and laid out upon her marriage bed.

In the butteries and cellar were plentiful provisions of food. Having
eaten of it with thankfulness, they chose out one of the bed-chambers
and slept there quite undisturbed till the morning sun shone in at the
window-places and awoke them. Then they arose, and, digging a shallow
grave in the courtyard with some garden tools which they found in a
shed, they bore out the poor bride, and, removing only her jewels, which
were rich enough, buried her there in her wedding dress. This sad
duty finished, they washed themselves with water from the well, and
breakfasted. After they had eaten they consulted as to what they should
do next.

"We came here to lay a certain cause before his Holiness," said Hugh.
"Let us go up to the palace, declare our business and estate, and ask
audience."

So, leaving David in charge of the house, which they named the Bride's
Tower because of the dead lady and the little keep which rose above it,
and of the horses that they had stalled in the stable, they went out
and made their way to the great entrance of the Pope's palace. Here they
found the gates shut and barred, with a huge fire burning behind them.

Still they knocked until some guards appeared armed with cross-bows, and
asked their business. They said they desired to see his Holiness, or at
least one of his secretaries, whereon the guards asked whence they came.
They replied from Italy, and were told that if so they would find no
entrance there, since the Death had come from Italy. Now Hugh gave his
name and stated his business on hearing which the guards laughed at him.

"Annulment of a false marri