"Purity, or not purity," said Bianca, "gone she is--a stranger is
found that nobody knows; you question him yourself; he tells you he
is in love, or unhappy, it is the same thing--nay, he owned he was
unhappy about others; and is anybody unhappy about another, unless
they are in love with them? and at the very next word, he asks
innocently, pour soul! if my Lady Isabella is missing."

"To be sure," said Matilda, "thy observations are not totally
without foundation--Isabella's flight amazes me. The curiosity of
the stranger is very particular; yet Isabella never concealed a
thought from me."

"So she told you," said Bianca, "to fish out your secrets; but who
knows, Madam, but this stranger may be some Prince in disguise?
Do, Madam, let me open the window, and ask him a few questions."

"No," replied Matilda, "I will ask him myself, if he knows aught of
Isabella; he is not worthy I should converse farther with him."
She was going to open the casement, when they heard the bell ring
at the postern-gate of the castle, which is on the right hand of
the tower, where Matilda lay. This prevented the Princess from
renewing the conversation with the stranger.

After continuing silent for some time, "I am persuaded," said she
to Bianca, "that whatever be the cause of Isabella's flight it had
no unworthy motive. If this stranger was accessory to it, she must
be satisfied with his fidelity and worth. I observed, did not you,
Bianca? that his words were tinctured with an uncommon infusion of
piety. It was no ruffian's speech; his phrases were becoming a man