ing for my lady; but finding this vain, scowled at these garments
instead. They were of a fashion such as I remembered my father had
worn; and now as I gazed on them a strange fancy took me to learn how I
(that had gone so long half-naked and in rags) might feel in such
sumptuous apparel. So up I got and dressed forthwith, and found this a
matter of no small difficulty, what with the unfamiliar shape of these
garments and their numberless points and buttons. Howbeit 'twas done at
last, and now, coming without the cave, there was my lady upon her
three-legged stool preparing breakfast. Beholding me she stared
wide-eyed for a moment, then rose, smiling roguishly, and sank down in
a slow and gracious curtsey.

"Good morrow to your lordship," says she. "Your lordship called, I
think, but I could not answer your lordship's shouts since I was busied
preparing your lordship's breakfast."

Now beholding all the sweet and roguish witchery of her, the sun so
bright and the world about us so joyous, what could I do but smile and,
sweeping off my great hat, make her as deep and profound a reverence as
ever was seen at Whitehall or Versailles.

"Madame," quoth I, "your ladyship's most humble and very obedient
servant. I trust your ladyship hath breakfast ready, for of a truth my
magnificence is mighty sharp set."

"O Martin," cries she, clapping her hands, "I vow 'twas most gallant!
It needeth but for you to trim your hair and beard--no, I think I will
have you clean-shaven, 'twill mind me of the boyish Martin of years
ago! Yes, you shall shave--"

"Shave!" quoth I, staring like any fool.

"Yes, Martin, I have all things ready. Come, it shall not take you
long, we will breakfast when you are shaved and trimmed." So,
willy-nilly, she brings me back to the cave and presently comes bearing
a gold-mounted box, wherein lay razors with soap and everything needful
to a fine gentleman's toilet. Then she sets before me a gold-framed
mirror, and taking a pair of scissors at her bidding I began to clip
the hair from my face, but so bungled the business that she presently
took the scissors and did it for me. Thereafter I shaved (awkwardly
enough, and she mighty anxious lest I cut myself--the which I did!)
and, having at last washed and dried my face, I stood all amazed to
find myself so much younger-looking. Now, seeing how she stared at me,
and with rosy lips all a-quiver, I smiled, then wondered to behold her
eyes suddenly a-