ord had been calling for Otter that he might command
him what he should tell to the marshals of the lists and how all should
be duly ordered, wherefore he went up unto the Tower whither the Lord
had now gone. So Ralph did on his armour, which was not right meet for
tilting, being over light for such work; and his shield in especial was
but a target for a sergeant, which he had brought at Cheaping Knowe;
but he deemed that his deftness and much use should bear him well
through.

Now, the Lady had abided in her pavilion when her Lord went abroad;
anon after she sent all her women away, save one whom she loved, and to
whom she was wont to tell the innermost of her mind; though forsooth
she mishandled her at whiles; for she was hot of temper, and over-ready
with her hands when she was angry; though she was nowise cruel. But
the woman aforesaid, who was sly and sleek, and somewhat past her first
youth, took both her caresses and her buffets with patience, for the
sake of the gifts and largesse wherewith they were bought. So now she
stood by the board in the pavilion with her head drooping humbly, yet
smiling to herself and heedful of whatso might betide. But the Lady
walked up and down the pavilion hastily, as one much moved.

At last she spake as she walked and said: "Agatha, didst thou see him
when my Lord pointed him out?" "Yea," said the woman lifting her face
a little.

"And what seemed he to thee?" said the Lady. "O my Lady," quoth
Agatha, "what seemed he to thee?" The lady stood and turned and looked
at her; she was slender and dark and sleek; and though her lips moved
not, and her eyes did not change, a smile seemed to steal over her face
whether she would or not. The Lady stamped her foot and lifted her
hand and cried out. "What! dost thou deem thyself meet for him?" And
she caught her by the folds over her bosom. But Agatha looked up into
her face with a simple smile as of a child: "Dost thou deem him meet
for thee, my Lady--he a thrall, and thou so great?" The Lady took her
hand from her, but her face flamed with anger and she stamped on the
ground again: "What dost thou mean?" she said; "am I not great enough
to have what I want when it lieth close to my hand?" Agatha looked on
her sweetly, and said in a soft voice: "Stretch out thine hand for it
then." The Lady looked at her grimly, and said: "I understand thy
jeer; thou meanest that he will not be moved by me, he being so fair,
and I being but