"What stranger?" said she; "and how didst thou come there at this
unusual hour, when all the gates of the castle are locked?"

"I am not here willingly," answered the voice. "But pardon me,
Lady, if I have disturbed your rest; I knew not that I was
overheard. Sleep had forsaken me; I left a restless couch, and
came to waste the irksome hours with gazing on the fair approach of
morning, impatient to be dismissed from this castle."

"Thy words and accents," said Matilda, "are of melancholy cast; if
thou art unhappy, I pity thee. If poverty afflicts thee, let me
know it; I will mention thee to the Princess, whose beneficent soul
ever melts for the distressed, and she will relieve thee."

"I am indeed unhappy," said the stranger; "and I know not what
wealth is. But I do not complain of the lot which Heaven has cast
for me; I am young and healthy, and am not ashamed of owing my
support to myself--yet think me not proud, or that I disdain your
generous offers. I will remember you in my orisons, and will pray
for blessings on your gracious self and your noble mistress--if I
sigh, Lady, it is for others, not for myself."

"Now I have it, Madam," said Bianca, whispering the Princess; "this
is certainly the young peasant; and, by my conscience, he is in
love--Well! this is a charming adventure!--do, Madam, let us sift
him. He does not know you, but takes you for one of my Lady
Hippolita's women."

"Art thou not ashamed, Bianca!" said the Princess. "What right